Real Sociedad will host Alaves in the La Liga hoping to regain some form. Before the winter break in Spain’s top division, the host team drew 0-0 with Cadiz. Alaves’ most recent match ended in a 1-0 loss to division leaders Real Madrid.
Preview (Real Sociedad vs. Alaves)
Real Sociedad’s greatest accomplishment during the first half of the 2023–24 season was their performance in the Champions League group stage. Finishing first in their group above Inter Milan, the La Liga team advanced to the competition’s last-16 stage as Group D victors. In addition to facing Paris Saint-Germain in the opening round of the knockout stages. Imanol Alguacil’s team advanced in the Copa del Rey after defeating Andratx 1-0. They will play Malaga in the competition the following weekend.
With eight wins, seven draws, and three losses from 18 games, Real Sociedad’s league record has been strong but not remarkable. The Basque team’s objective this season is undoubtedly another Champions League finish. They are now four points behind Athletic Bilbao in fifth position and seven points behind Barcelona in fourth. Since a 1-0 loss to Barcelona at the beginning of November, the White and Blues have not dropped a game. However, they have split the last three La Liga games, including their last two. They ended in draws against Real Betis and Cadiz.
With only 14 goals in La Liga in 2023–24, Garcia’s club is only three points above the relegation zone. Their primary problem this season has been finding the back of the net. When El Glorioso last played Real Sociedad in La Liga in March 2022, they lost 1-0. In their previous eight encounters with their Basque rivals, they had only won twice.
Team News
On Tuesday, Real Sociedad will be without four players due to injury: Ander Barrenetxea, Hamari Traore, Martin Merquelanz, and Arsen Zakharyan. After the team’s goalless draw with Cadiz the previous game, head coach Alguacil is anticipated to resist the need to rearrange his pack, possibly starting with the same lineup. In the last third, Takefusa Kubo and Mikel Oyarzabal should be joined once more by Ahmed Sadiq. Meanwhile, Kieran Tierney, an Arsenal defender on loan, will make another start at left defense.
Alaves’ long-term knee injury keeps Alexander Sedlar out of the starting lineup. Giuliano Simeone is still sidelined after suffering a major ankle injury in the preseason. Rumen Duarte, who received a historic yellow card in the team’s most recent tight defeat to Real Madrid, will also not be available for the visitors. Due to the strong performance against Real Madrid, Jon Guridi and Antonio Blanco are both expected to keep their spots in the starting lineup, and Javi Lopez is anticipated to benefit from Duarte’s absence by entering the starting XI.
Real Sociedad 1-0 Alaves
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