Real Sociedad: Compact to next success?
Real Sociedad is playing a good season and impresses with an enormous compactness, which helps the team extremely. In the fight for the top four places, the Basques are not without a chance, although the competition is extremely large and, above all, strong.
Ahead of the Real Sociedad vs Espanyol Barcelona match, the odds show that the hosts go into this game as clear favourites. The Basques are ranked above the Catalans in the standings, and individually they also have clear advantages.
However, the role of favourite alone does not ensure that the three points are already certain. Real Sociedad has to reach its normal performance level, then it looks good. Espanyol, however, is by no means a team that should be underestimated.
Real Sociedad – Statistics & current form
48 points from 29 games is a really good haul for Real Sociedad. Right at the beginning of the season, the Basques attracted attention when they played at the top of the table. Currently, it looks more like they are fighting for fifth place with teams like Real Betis, Villarreal or Athletic Club, as Atletico and Barcelona, currently in third and fourth place, are too stable.
Before the international break, Real Sociedad held second-placed Sevilla FC to a 0-0 draw away from home. The team of coach Imanol Alguacil showed all its class. They are extremely difficult to play against and to overcome, defend compactly and can drive the opponent crazy. It is significant that Real Sociedad has a goal difference of +- 0.
The hosts are definitely the favourites in this match. However, the game can be a tough one. Mikel Oyarzabal, with nine goals and three assists by far the best scorer of his team, is missing due to a cruciate ligament rupture. No other player has more than four goals to his name. On the positive side, Real Sociedad have lost only one of their last five games, picking up ten points in the process.
Real Sociedad: Spectacle in vain
The compact alignment becomes clear once again if you only look at the home record. Real Sociedad get 2 points here on average, eight of the 14 games were won, only two were lost. But: With a goal difference of 11:6, home games of the Basques are rarely very eventful. Only four teams in the league have scored fewer goals than Real Sociedad, but only three teams have conceded fewer goals.
Moreover, no team scores as few goals overall as the hosts. Combined with the absence of the top scorer, it should also be clear this time that not much will happen. For this reason, our value tip before the Real Sociedad vs Espanyol Barcelona match is that not both teams will score.
Predicted line-up of Real Sociedad:
Remiro – Gorosabel, Elustondo, Le Normand, Munoz – Zubimendi, Merino, Rafinha, David Silva, Portu – Isak
Last matches played by Real Sociedad:
La Liga
03/20 2022 – Sevilla FC 0 – 0 Real Sociedad
03/13 2022 – Real Sociedad 1 – 0 Deportivo Alaves
03/05 2022 – Real Madrid 4 – 1 Real Sociedad
03/02 2022 – Mallorca 0 – 2 Real Sociedad
02/27 2022 – Real Sociedad 1 – 0 Osasuna Pamplona
Espanyol Barcelona – Statistics & current form
For a promoted team, Espanyol Barcelona are playing a very good season under coach Vicente Moreno. 36 points from 29 games are a more than respectable record and, if there is no further negative streak, the current ten-point lead over the first relegation spot means that the club’s chances of staying in the league are not in jeopardy.
The success of the visitors is also largely due to Raul de Tomas. With 14 goals so far, he is by far the best scorer of his team. The development of Espanyol this season is generally very positive, because the first five games did not give such a sovereign ranking at that time. Espanyol started with a winning streak, but quickly caught on.
With seven points from the last three games, Espanyol Barcelona is currently in good shape. The Catalans have ended another negative streak, which started with nine games without a win, and have stabilised again. Especially at home, they will get the points they need to stay in the league.
Espanyol Barcelona are clearly weaker away from home
This already serves as a transition for the away statistics. Espanyol Barcelona have been low on points away from home, picking up just 0.57 points per game on average. At home, it is considerably more with 1.87 points per game. Nevertheless, the visitors are by no means without a chance in this away game.
Because: Espanyol Barcelona’s offence has delivered consistently in recent games, even during the series with many negative results. Twelve league games in a row, the Catalans always scored at least one goal. Now, however, the offence faces one of the best defences in the league, which makes it much more difficult to make an impact.
It could be a close game between these two teams. The hosts certainly have the greater advantage on their side, which is why our prediction before the Real Sociedad vs Espanyol Barcelona match is that the home side will take the win.
Predicted line-up of Espanyol Barcelona:
Diego Lopez – Gil, Calero, Cabrera, Pedrosa – Bare, Herrera, Darder, Embarba, Melendo – de Tomas
Last matches played by Espanyol Barcelona:
La Liga
03/20 2022 – Espanyol 1 – 0 Mallorca
03/12 2022 – Levante 1 – 1 Espanyol
03/05 2022 – Espanyol 2 – 0 Getafe
02/27 2022 – Villarreal FC 5 – 1 Espanyol
02/20 2022 – Espanyol 1 – 1 Sevilla FC
Real Sociedad – Espanyol Barcelona Direct comparison / H2H record
With 58 wins in the direct comparison Real Sociedad leads Espanyol Barcelona, because the Catalans managed “only” 49 victories. 39 games ended in a draw. The first leg in Barcelona was won 1-0 by the then hosts, with both games going to Real Sociedad in 2019/20.
Real Sociedad – Espanyol Barcelona betting tips
Real Sociedad impress with a very good organisation and can very often play games without conceding a goal, especially at home. That should also be the case against Espanyol Barcelona, who have been on the up again for a short time now.
The roles are clear, the hosts are strong at home, the visitors leave a lot to be desired away from home. Therefore, in the run-up to the Real Sociedad vs Espanyol Barcelona match, our tip is that the Basques will win at home.
