Real Sociedad will take on Valencia this weekend in a match between two teams who aren't currently performing to the levels they expect of themselves.
Real Sociedad have been mainstays in La Liga's top six for the past five years but they look more like relegation candidates this season after winning just one of their first seven matches.
It's a similar story for Valencia who have been underperforming for several years now. Like their opponents, they sit on five points after seven matches.
How the bookies view it: The hosts go in as favourites
Valencia's away form this season has been dire and they have lost all three of their games away from the Mestalla. Therefore, it's no great surprise that they are considered the underdogs for this one. Betfred have priced a win for Real Sociedad at 9/10 while a victory for victory for Valencia has been priced at 18/5. The draw, which wouldn't do much for either side, has been priced at 9/4.
Recent head-to-head: A low-scoring fixture
If recent clashes between these two teams are anything to go by then don't expect an entertaining match on Saturday night. Only five goals have been scored across the last six meetings between Real Sociedad and Valencia so this could easily be a match settled by a single goal.
Last season, Real Sociedad completed the double over valencia, beating them 1-0 in both fixtures.
Players to watch: Pepelu vs Zubimendi
As with recent fixtures between these two teams, a lot of the match is going to be played in the midfield and the winner will likely come from the team whose engine rooms operate the best.
So far this season, Real Sociedad's midfield has been well below their usual standards. While the loss of Merino to Arsenal at the back end of the transfer window certainly hasn't helped, Zubimendi has struggled to adapt to his new partner, Benat Turrientes, and the team are suffering as a result.
On the opposite side, Valencia will be hoping that Pepelu can produce a similar performance to the one he put in against Girona last weekend when he took the game by the scruff of the beck and led the club to their first win of the season. His energy was unrivalled and he came away from the match with two assists.
Predicted line-ups
Real Sociedad are missing four players for this match with Ander Barrenetxea, Hamari Traore, Arsen Zakharyan and Sadiq Umar all unavailable. Valencia have issues of their own with Rafa Mir suspended and Mouctar Diakhaby, Jose Gaya and Jaume Domenech all out injured.
Real Sociedad: Remiro – Aramburu, Zubeldia, Aguerd, Gomez – Kubo, Turrientes, Zubimendi, Sucic – Oskarsson, Oyarzabal
Valencia: Mamardashvili – Correia, Tarrega, Mosquera, Vazquez – Guerra, Lopez, Pepelu, Rioja – Almeida, Duro
Anything else catch the eye?
If the six most recent matches between Valencia and Real Sociedad weren't an indicator that this one will be a low-scoring affair then both teams' results in recent weeks should be. None of Real Sociedad's last five matches have produced more than two goals while the same can be said for four of Valencia's last five. Under 2.5 goals to be scored on Saturday has been priced at 1/2 by Betfred.
This La Liga match between Real Sociedad and Valencia will be played on Sep 28, 2024 and kick off at 17:30. Check below for our tipsters best Real Sociedad vs Valencia prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
