Espanyol vs Real Sociedad predictions and match preview for Monday’s LaLiga fixture. Read on for analysis, team news and predicted lineups as La Real travel to Barcelona.
| Date | Monday 13th February 2023 |
| Kick-Off | 21:00 (CET) |
| Stadium | RCDE Stadium |
| Competition | LaLiga |
Espanyol vs Real Sociedad Preview
Espanyol and Real Sociedad meet in what promises to be a really competitive Monday night game in LaLiga. The visitors are flying high but hoping to bounce back from a surprise defeat last time out while Espanyol are hungry for three points to move clear of danger.
Weekend results mean they head into this match in 17th place and just a point outside the relegation zone. However remarkably they could potentially climb all the way up to 11th place with a win here. It’s so tight in the bottom half but Espanyol will feel as though they have enough quality to ultimately ease away from trouble and achieve a mid-table finish this term.
They have a couple of notable absentees which could make their job all the more tricky here. Recent signing Cesar Montes, who has quickly established himself as a first choice centre-back, is injured and the same goes for top scorer Joselu. The striker has scored 11 of Espanyol’s 24 league goals this term so the onus will be on Martin Braithwaite to be the home team’s main goal threat here. The Danish international was on target in the 1-1 draw against Osasuna last time out.
As ever, Real Sociedad are also missing some players to injury with Aritz Elustondo and David Silva their most notable absentees. It’s also going to be interesting to see whether Imanol is willing to risk Mikel Merino from the start. His presence is always important and with this game taking place on a Monday, La Real have had plenty of time to work on his fitness ahead of the trip to the RCDE Stadium.
Real Sociedad will be hungry for a positive response to last week’s setback which came in the form of a surprise 1-0 defeat at home to Real Valladolid. It was their worst result of the season, but the Basque side can take confidence from having an excellent recent away record with victories in 7 of their last 9 road games in all competitions. They are yet to concede a goal in 3 away games so far in 2023 in LaLiga.
Team News & Possible Lineups
Espanyol
| INJURED | Bare, Pedrosa, Joselu, Montes. Gori Gracia |
| DOUBTFUL | |
| BANNED | Pierre-Gabriel |
Possible XI: Alvaro Fernandez – Olivan, Cabrera, Gomez, Gil – Souza, Darder – Puado, Melamed, Vidal – Braithwaite (4-2-3-1)
Coach: Diego Martinez
Real Sociedad
| INJURED | Merquelanz, Elustondo, Cho, Gorosabel, Sadiq, Pacheco, Silva |
| DOUBTFUL | |
| BANNED |
Possible XI: Remiro – Aihen, Le Normand, Zubimendi, Zubeldia – Pablo Marin, Illarramendi – Kubo, Oyarzabal, Brais Mendez – Sorloth (4-2-3-1)
Coach: Imanol Alguacil
Score Prediction: Espanyol 1-1 Real Sociedad
It’ll be interesting to see how Real Sociedad respond to losing in surprising circumstances last time out. They look the more likely victors here, particularly with Espanyol missing Joselu again but Diego Martinez’s side have shown a bit more overall since the World Cup and it’s just 1 defeat in 8 outings at the RCDE Stadium in all competitions. They may just have enough to claim a useful point.
PLEASE NOTE – Our LaLiga predictions are not betting tips! No profits are guaranteed if you’re using them to bet on Spanish football. If you are gambling, do so responsibly and never stake more than you can afford to lose. BeGambleAware.
