Valencia will be looking to climb off the foot of the table as they host Real Sociedad in the Spanish La Liga on Sunday. Sociedad have been in good form lately and should have the edge over Los Che, who are struggling at the moment.
New boss, Carlos Corberan appears to have sparked a resurgence at Valencia, who are unbeaten in the last three matches in all competitions. However, two of those fixtures have been in the Copa del Rey as they claimed 2-0 victories over lower league sides Eldense and Ourense in the last two rounds.
Los Che played out a 1-1 draw at Sevilla in their previous La Liga fixture to make it seven league matches without a win. They have also lost three of their last five La Liga home matches and were beaten 2-1 by Real Madrid in their previous fixture in front of their fans.
In contrast to Valencia’s struggles, Real Sociedad have impressed lately, winning their last three matches in all competitions. They beat Villarreal 1-0 in their previous La Liga fixture before earning a 3-1 victory over Rayo Vallecano in the Copa del Rey.
Real Sociedad will travel to the Mestalla unbeaten in six of their last eight La Liga matches. At the heart of their recent good form is a solid defence that has kept six clean sheets in their last eight matches in the league.
How the bookies view it: Bookies fancy Sociedad
Real Sociedad have been installed as overwhelming favourites among the bookies and are priced at 7/5 by BoyleSports to claim the win. Valencia are considered outsiders, with a home win valued at 2/1 while a draw is set at 19/10 by BoyleSports.
Head to head: Close, but Sociedad have recent edge
Valencia have a 21-18 advantage with 18 draws from 57 previous matches against Real Sociedad. However, Sociedad have won the last three meetings and ran out 3-0 winners in the reverse fixture back in September.
Players to watch: Solid Sociedad backline
Real Sociedad have been solid at the back lately and have kept clean sheets in six of their last eight La Liga matches. Nayef Aguerd and Aritz Elustondo have a solid partnership going and can lead the visitors to another clean sheet at 11/8 with BoyleSports.
At the Other end of the pitch, Mikel Oyarzabal will be the one to watch for Real Sociedad having scored six times in the last nine matches in all competitions. With Takefusa Kubo and Brais Mendez also providing support, Sociedad can be backed to produce over 0.5 goals at 2/5 with BoyleSports.
Probable line-ups
Rafa Mir, Mouctar Diakhaby and Thierry Correa remain sidelined with injury for Valencia. Striker Hugo Duro was an unused substitute in the Copa del Rey and should return to the team on Sunday while Cesar Tarrega and Cristhian Mosquera should continue their defensive partnership.
Jon Aramburru is suspended for Real Sociedad while Hamari Traore is sidelined with injury. Elustondo sat out the Copa del Rey victory and should return while Brais Mendez should also earn a start after coming off the bench in midweek.
Valencia: Mamardashvili, Folquier, Tarrega, Mosquera, Gaya, Guerra, Barrenechea, Rioja, Almeida, Lopez, Duro
Real Sociedad: Remiro, Munoz, Aguerd, Elustondo, Odriozola, Zubimendi, Gomez, Lucic, Mendez, Kubo, Oyarzabal
Anything else catch the eye?
Real Sociedad have scored first in the last three matches against Valencia and a similar outcome is priced at 11/8 by BoyleSports. All three matches ended in a win to nil for Sociedad and a similar victory is priced at 6/2 by BoyleSports.
Sociedad scored in both halves in the reverse fixture and a repeat can be considered on Sunday at 4/1 by BoyleSports.
This La Liga match between Valencia and Real Sociedad will be played on Jan 19, 2025 and kick off at 20:00. Check below for our tipsters best Valencia vs Real Sociedad prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
