Real Sociedad
vs
Espanyol Barcelona
Kick-off
18:00 GMT
23 October 2017
The 2017/18 La Liga campaign is in full flow and with 16 of the 18 teams already having played nine matches, there are four more teams still to play. Two of these are Real Sociedad and Espanyol and the latter will make the trip north hoping to move into the top half. Real Sociedad are currently 9th but with a win by three or more goals, they can go sixth while Espanyol are in 14th and can go 10th with three points.
After his 13 goals last season, Gerard Moreno has picked up where he left off. He has scored three goals in a team that is struggling to create chances and will fancy his chances against a leaky defence.
Espanyol have struggled against Real Sociedad in recent seasons and with just one win in the last five attempts, they will be hoping to improve that record. Sociedad have picked up three wins in these five games along with one of last term’s meetings ending 1-1. The other fixture last season ended 2-1 to Real Sociedad thanks to an Illaramendi winner. The matches tend to be quite feisty with 18 yellow cards and two reds in the last four meetings.
A convincing win for Real Sociedad would put them in a great position in terms of Europa League contention but Carlos Vela and Juanmi are major doubts as to whether they will feature. David Zurutuza and Imanol Agirretxe are ruled out until next month at the earliest.
Latest matches: Real Sociedad
19.10.2017 | ![]() |
Vardar Skopje | Real Sociedad | 0:6 | W |
14.10.2017 | ![]() |
CD Alaves | Real Sociedad | 0:2 | W |
01.10.2017 | ![]() |
Real Sociedad | Betis Sevilla | 4:4 | D |
28.09.2017 | ![]() |
Zenit St Petersburg | Real Sociedad | 3:1 | L |
24.09.2017 | ![]() |
Real Sociedad | Valencia CF | 2:3 | L |
As long as Espanyol avoid defeat in this match, they will move up the table with a win potentially taking them 10th. They don’t have any real injury worries either as Oscar Duarte has returned from injury. It is just Victor Sanchez and Adrian Lopez who won’t be available. Latest matches: Espanyol Barcelona
13.10.2017
LaLi
Espanyol Barcelona
Levante UD
0:0
D
01.10.2017
LaLi
Real Madrid
Espanyol Barcelona
2:0
L
24.09.2017
LaLi
Espanyol Barcelona
Deportivo La Coruna
4:1
W
21.09.2017
LaLi
Villarreal CF
Espanyol Barcelona
0:0
D
18.09.2017
LaLi
Espanyol Barcelona
Celta de Vigo
2:1
W
With home advantage and a stronger squad, it is definitely Real Sociedad’s match to lose and anything other than three points will be a disappointment. Espanyol haven’t shown any particular strength going forward this season and should struggle against a well-organised home side who have a wealth of strong attacking options. A comfortable Real Sociedad win is expected.
23 October 2017 - 18:00 GMT
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