Real Sociedad turns their focus to La Liga this weekend, hosting Osasuna at the Reale Arena.
The White and Blues tied 0-0 with Mallorca in the Copa del Rey semi-final first leg on Tuesday, while Osasuna faced a 3-0 defeat at home against Celta Vigo last weekend.
Match Preview
Real Sociedad is juggling competitions, participating in La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Champions League.
After drawing 0-0 with Mallorca in the Copa del Rey semi-final first leg, they’re well-positioned to advance at home later this month.
Next week, they face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League last-16 first leg, an eagerly awaited clash against the French champions.
The team has drawn their last three matches 0-0, including two La Liga games, placing them sixth with 37 points, eight behind fifth-placed Athletic Bilbao. Despite ten draws limiting their top-four pursuit, they’ve only lost four league games this season.
Osasuna hasn’t matched last season’s performance, where they finished seventh and reached the Copa del Rey final.
Currently 12th, they’ve collected 26 points from 23 games, nine points behind seventh-placed Valencia.
With just one point from their last three league games, Osasuna’s away record of 11 points from 11 games isn’t terrible, but Real Sociedad has only lost once at home in the league this season.
Earlier this season, Osasuna and Real Sociedad drew 1-1, but Real Sociedad won 2-0 in the previous season’s corresponding fixture.
Real Sociedad La Liga Form: D D L W D D
Real Sociedad Form (All Competitions): W W W D D D
Osasuna La Liga Form: L W W D L L
Osasuna Form (All Competitions): L L W D L L
Team News
Real Sociedad faces injury challenges, missing Sheraldo Becker, Alvaro Odriozola, Kieran Tierney, Aihen Munoz, and Carlos Fernandez.
Hamari Traore and Takefusa Kubo are expected to start again after playing against Mallorca.
Andre Silva might lead the attack, potentially replacing Umar Sadiq, while Mikel Merino, Martin Zubimendi, and Brais Mendez are likely to continue in midfield.
Osasuna’s head coach Arrasate may have a full team, with Unai Garcia returning from suspension.
No new injuries have been reported, but changes are expected from the team that lost to Celta, with Aimar Oroz, Jose Arnaiz, and Kike Barja possibly starting.
Possible Starting Lineups
Real Sociedad:
Remiro;
Traore, Zubeldia, Le Normand, Galan;
Merino, Zubimendi, Mendez;
Kubo, A Silva, Oyarzabal
Osasuna:
Herrera;
Areso, D Garcia, U Garcia, Cruz, Pena;
Oroz, Munoz, M Gomez;
Arnaiz, Budimir
Prediction: Real Sociedad 1-0 Osasuna
Despite looking ahead to their Paris trip, Real Sociedad enters as favorites. Osasuna might be fresher, but Real Sociedad’s quality should secure them a crucial win on Saturday.