Real Sociedad will look to continue their resurgence on Friday night as they travel to the Estadio Martinez Valero to take on promoted Elche.
Real Sociedad endured a nightmare start to the campaign, as they had won just one of their opening eight La Liga fixtures (W1-D2-L5) to sit joint-bottom of the table.
However, Sergio Francisco’s have gone on to take seven points from their next three matches – including back-to-back wins at home to Sevilla and city-rivals Athletic Club – to move them up to 14th in the La Liga table.
Following a two-year stint in the Segunda, Elche made an impressive start to their return to the Spanish top flight, as Eder Sarabia’s men were unbeaten in each of their opening seven La Liga matches (W3-D4-L0) to sit as high as fourth.
However, Los Franjiverdes have gone on to pick up a solitary point from their next four clashes (W0-D1-L3), losing 3-1 away at Barcelona at the weekend to slip down to ninth in the table.
Nevertheless, Elche remain unbeaten at home in La Liga this term (W3-D2-L0), whilst their visitors are yet to collect a maximum away from home (W0-D2-L3).
How the bookies view it: Tough one to call
The bookies are finding it hard to separate these two sides, with BOYLE Sports pricing Real Sociedad at 13/8 to claim their third win on the spin.
Elche are slightly shorter with the same firm, at 6/4 to end their four-game winless run, whilst the draw is 11/5.
Head to head: Seven on the spin for Sociedad?
Real Sociedad have dominated this fixture when Elche were last in La Liga in the 2022/23 season, winning each of the previous six meetings between the two clubs.
Players to watch: More magic from Mikel?
Mikel Oyarzabal has been the key to Real Sociedad’s success over the last couple of weeks, scoring a brace over Sevilla before setting up the winner against city-rivals Athletic Club at the weekend.
The Spain international has been involved in 6/13 (46%) of Real Sociedad’s goals in La Liga this season, and I like the 11/8 on offer at Bet365 for him to Score or Assist on Friday night.
Predicted line-ups:
Elche appear to be at near full strength for this clash, with defender Pedro Bigas the only doubt.
Real Sociedad will once again be missing Orri Oskarsson, whilst Yangel Herrera, Inaki Ruperez, Jon Karrikaburu, Ander Barrenetxea and Arsen Zakharyan are all rated doubtful.
Elche: Pena, Pedrosa, Affengruber, Fort, Nunez, Aguado, Valera, Neto, Febas, Mir, Silva
Real Sociedad: Remiro, Aramburu, Martin, Zubeldia, Gomez, Guedes, Gorrotxategi, Soler, Kubo, Mendez, Oyarzabal
Anything else catch the eye?
Whilst these two sides arrive into this clash in contrasting form, Real Sociedad are still yet to win on their travels, whilst Elche are unbeaten at home.
Real Sociedad’s opening 11 La Liga fixtures this season have averaged 2.64 goals per game, with Both Teams to Score paying out in an impressive eight (73%) of them, including in 4/5 (80%) away from home.
7/11 (64%) of Elche’s contests since promotion to La Liga have also produced goals at both ends, meaning I like the 10/11 on offer at Bet365 for Both Teams to Score.
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