Over the past three seasons Real Sociedad have shown a steady improvement in La Liga following their 12th place finish in 2014/15. They have climbed the table to 9th in 2015/16 and then 6th last season so will be hoping to continue their progress by breaking into the top five places in this campaign. With the likes of Atletico Madrid and Sevilla both dropping points, Real Sociedad could move into contention for a Champions League qualifying spot.
This week they welcome Espanyol to the Estadio Municipal de Anoeta on Monday night in a game which could be full of goals.
Real Sociedad Form
Real Sociedad come into this match on the back of a 3-game unbeaten run. There has been a 4-4 draw at Real Betis in La Liga, a 2-0 win at Deportivo Alaves in La Liga and a huge 6-0 win at Vardar in the Europa League.
The last two of those games have been away from home and Real Sociedad will look forward to playing in-front of their own fans again in this match.
Real Sociedad have been scoring plenty of goals recently and have found the back of the net 12 times in their last 3 games in all competitions, averaging 4 goals per game. Looking at the league table and only Barcelona and Valencia have scored more goals than Real Sociedad this season.
However, they have won only 1 of their 4 La Liga games at home and will need to start winning more regularly on their own pitch if they are to challenge for the top four.
Espanyol Form
Espanyol start this game in 14th place in La Liga and could do with a win to lift themselves clear of the relegation zone.
They have won only 2 games in La Liga this season, both of which have come at home against Celta Vigo and Deportivo La Coruna. They have failed to win their previous 2 matches, losing at Real Madrid and drawing at home with Levante and did not score a goal in either game.
Espanyol have struggled away from home and have picked up just 2 points from a possible 12 with draws at Sevilla and Villarreal and defeats at Barcelona and Real Madrid. They have failed to score in 3 of those 4 games but have had a tough schedule on the road this season.
Team News
Real Sociedad are expected to line-up in a 4-3-3 formation but will be without the injured duo of David Zurutuza and Imanol Agirretxe. Alvaro Odriozola and Juanmi are both hoping to be fit. Espanyol travel with every player in contention and should start in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Gerard Moreno up-front, supported by Leo Baptistao.
Top Betting Tips
Given the recent form of both teams plus the lack of confidence in Espanyol when playing away from home, Real Sociedad will be expecting to pick up the 3 points from this game. Real Sociedad are 5/6 with William Hill to win the match.
Real Sociedad have been scoring goals for fun recently but it’s also noticeable how Espanyol have been struggling to find the back of the net. Real Sociedad are 5/2 with Ladbrokes to score over 2.5 goals and 23/10 with Ladbrokes to win the game to nil.
Mikel Oyarzabal has scored 4 goals in his last 4 games for club and country and can be backed at 2/1 with Ladbrokes to score at any time in this match.