Surprise in Leganes?
English weeks are not uncommon in Spanish football. Immediately after the turn of the year, another round in the Copa del Rey is on the agenda this season. The remaining teams are fighting for a place in the round of 16. Among others, the match between CD Leganes and Real Sociedad will take place.
On paper, it should be a straightforward affair as second division Leganes host a team fighting for a Champions League spot in La Liga.
Leganes have progressed to the sixteen-finals after narrow victories over bottom teams Deportivo Xerez and Cultural Leonesa, both of which saw them struggle away from home. Now it will certainly not be any easier at home against a first division team. Therefore, in the duel between Leganes and Real Sociedad, the prediction goes to an away win.
The Basques, on the other hand, had no major problems in their two matches. Panaderia Pulido and Zamora were the opponents, who were defeated with 4:0 and 3:0. Now a bigger challenge awaits Imanol Alguacil’s team. In our opinion, you should still be right with a bet on a win for the visitors between Leganes and Real Sociedad.
Leganes – Statistics & current form
The “Semana Grande de San Sebastian” is on the agenda for the Pepineros. On Wednesday, the A-team of the Basques will be the guests in the cup and at the weekend, the second team of Real Sociedad comes to the Estadio Municipal de Butarque for a league match. It’s fair to ask which match is more important.
Leganes in relegation trouble again
In La Liga 2, Leganes are in big trouble and are only in 17th place. After all, the cushion on the relegation places is still five points, but as last year’s first division team, this is more than a dramatic snapshot, which does not cause us to take a closer look at the odds on a home win between Leganes and Real Sociedad
After all, things have been a little better recently in the run-up to Christmas. Mehdi Nafti’s team conceded only one defeat in their last four games. However, this was last Sunday at Real Valladolid, when they were beaten 0:1. However, this result flattered the Leganes team a lot because the performance was anything but good.
In terms of personnel, there are some worries for Leganes. Kenneth Omeruo tested positive and will travel directly to the Nigerian national team to play in the Africa Cup after his quarantine. Rodri Tarin and Bruno Gonzalez are also in isolation. In addition, playmaker Fede Vico will continue to miss due to a cruciate ligament injury.
Predicted line-up of Leganes:
Riesgo – Quintilla, Hernandez, Bustinza, Palencia – Shibasaki, Recio – Arnaiz, Pardo, Garcia – Garces – Coach: Nafti
Last matches played by Leganes:
LaLiga2
01/02 2022 – Real Valladolid 1 – 0 Leganes
12/18 2021 – Malaga 0 – 2 Leganes
Copa del Rey
12/15 2021 – Leonesa 2 – 3 Leganes
LaLiga2
12/12 2021 – Leganes 1 – 1 Ponferradina
12/06 2021 – Girona 3 – 0 Leganes
Real Sociedad – Statistics & current form
Real Sociedad is considered hip and trendy in Spain. Imanol Alguacil’s side won the 2020 Copa del Rey last April, are still playing in the Europa League after the turn of the year and are attacking the Champions League places in La Liga. In addition, the Basques have a squad at their disposal that is still very young and capable of development.
Problems in La Liga
It couldn’t have gone much worse in recent weeks, though. In La Liga, Real Sociedad have lost the plot a little after going six games in a row without a win. As a result, the club has slipped to sixth place. But if the lever is turned quickly, then a lot is possible for the Basques this season.
After all, there was at least a point gained at Deportivo Alaves after the turn of the year. Adnan Januzaj put his teams in front after a quarter of an hour, but after an hour the home side equalised for a 1-1 final score. Even if things are not going well in La Liga, there are only slight residual doubts about the forecast for an away win between Leganes and Real Sociedad.
These lie above all in the personnel area. Ander Barrenetxea, Nacho Monreal and Carlos Fernandez will be missing due to injury. According to reports, other players besides Asier Illaramendi and Andoni Gorosabel have been infected with the virus. New signing Rafinha, on loan from PSG, could make his debut for the Basques. In addition, Mikel Oyarzabal will now return to the team in the Copa del Rey after his suspension in La Liga.
Projected line-up of Real Sociedad:
Remiro – Rico, Le Normand, Zubeldia, Elustondo – Rafinha, Merino, Junuzaj, Silva – Isak, Oyarzabal – Coach: Alguacil
Last matches played by Real Sociedad:
LaLiga
01/02 2022 – Deportivo Alaves 1 – 1 San Sebastian
12/18 2021 – San Sebastian 1 – 3 FC Villarreal
Copa del Rey
12/15 2021 – Zamora 0 – 3 San Sebastian
LaLiga
12/12 2021 – Real Betis 4 – 0 San Sebastian
Europa League Grp. B
12/09 2021 – San Sebastian 3 – 0 PSV Eindhoven
Leganes – Real Sociedad Direct comparison / H2H-balance
For just four years, CD Leganes and Real Sociedad San Sebastian played together in the same league. From 2016 to 2020, the Pepineros managed to compete in La Liga for four seasons. Accordingly, there are eight matches between these two clubs to date. The direct comparison is just 3:2 in favour of the Basques. Three duels ended in a draw.
It is striking that Real Sociedad have not won their last three matches in Leganes. However, the Pepineros were also still first-class at the time. The last encounter took place at the gates of Madrid. In February 2020, Alexander Isak put the Basques 1-0 up away from home before Kenneth Omeruo and Oscar turned the game around to win 2-1 at home.
Leganes – Real Sociedad tip
The line-ups of the teams are difficult to predict as both clubs have some players in quarantine and it is not impossible that there will be more by kick-off. Nevertheless, Real Sociedad have the much greater quality in their squad.
Under normal circumstances, a second division side should have little chance of a successful match against a top La Liga side, especially as the Pepineros are currently in the relegation zone in the Segunda Division. From there, we stick to the fact that in the match Leganes vs Real Sociedad the tip can only go to an away win.
The Basques will be able to send a team onto the pitch that is packed with stars. However, we think it could still be close and only a few goals will be scored. However, there should be little doubt about the first division team progressing. Therefore, we have decided to play the betting odds on an away win between Leganes and Real Sociedad.
