Real Sociedad vs Valencia Prediction: Team News and Lineups Preview

Tom Winch is here with a Real Sociedad vs Valencia prediction, team news, lineups and fixtures preview. The pair meet on Thursday night in La Liga.

The hosts are strong favourites to win this encounter. Valencia are a tough side to predict. Clashes between these sides often provide dull affairs. As always, we’ve selected three of our favourite selections.

In tris article:

• Real Sociedad vs Valencia Tip 1: Under 2.25 Goals
• Real Sociedad vs Valencia Tip 2: Mikel Oyarzabal Over 0.5 SOT
• Real Sociedad vs Valencia Tip 3: Robin Le Normand to be Booked

Real Sociedad vs Valencia Prediction 1: Yet Another Dull H2H

Spain La Liga, Thursday, May 16th, 21:00 (UK)

It’s round 36 of Spain’s La Liga. Valencia visits San Sebastian as they take on Real Sociedad. Imanol Alguacil’s men are mighty favourites to claim maximum points in this encounter. Their price to win is around 1.57. That looks way too short. Ruben Baraja’s side is available to back at 6.0. It’s a juicy price, but one I’m happy to swerve. 

I’m not expecting this clash to be a cracker. The previous five H2Hs have seen a total of four goals. Both sides have won 1-0, with a 1-1 draw and two 0-0’s. I expected the goal line too be slightly lower than the one on offer. Backing under 2.25 goals on the Asian Line looks like a sensible selection.

Valencia relies heavily on Hugo Duro for goals. The Spaniard has found the back of the net 13 times this campaign. Five of his goals have arrived away from home. Valencia has recorded 5, 4 and 6 shots in their previous three away matches. They’ve been rather underwhelming despite scoring in each. Their fortunes may change at Reale Arena.

Six of Sociedad’s eight La Liga matches in 2024 have seen two goals or less. If I had to predict a result, a 1-0 home win could be worth a punt.

• Real Sociedad vs Valencia Prediction 1: Under 2.25 Goals (TRACKED BET)
• Best Odds: 1.93
• Bookmaker: Unibet
• Stake: 4/10

Real Sociedad vs Valencia Prediction 2: Mikel’s Super Streak

Mikel Oyarzabal has scored more La Liga goals than any other Real Sociedad player this term. The 27-year-old has averaged 0.42 goals per 90 this season. That’s a very respectable number. I want to get the Spaniard on my side in this encounter.

Sociedad’s leading scorer has started five La Liga matches in San Sebastian this calendar year. Those clashes came against Alaves, Cadiz, Almeria, Real Madrid and Las Palmas. Mikel recorded a SOT in each of those five fixtures. 

PSG played here in March, and Oyarzabal managed a SOT in that Champions League clash. He came on and found the back of the net in Sociedad’s Copa Del Rey’s encounter with Mallorca.

It’s a selection that’s had a fantastic win record in 2024. Mikel enjoys playing his football at this venue. His side are likely to dominate for periods of this clash. 

The offer price is appealing. Oyarzabal is a standout player. He could be the difference-maker on Thursday night. He’s priced at 2.75 to score here, which is short. The 1.74 to record a SOT makes more sense, given the statistics.

• Real Sociedad vs Valencia Prediction 2: Mikel Oyarzabal Over 0.5 SOT (TRACKED BET)
• Best Odds: 1.74
• Bookmaker: Unibet
• Stake: 5/10

Real Sociedad vs Valencia Prediction 3: Card Magnet

Robin Le Normand is no stranger in the bookings department. Ivan Alejo of Cadiz is the only player who has received more yellow cards than Sociedad’s central defender. The 27-year-old has been cautioned 13 times in 2023/24, including each of his previous five matches in San Sebastian. 

RLN has committed 32 fouls in La Liga this term. That’s 1.26 per 90. Le Normand has been booked nine times in his last 12 matches for Sociedad and Spain across all competitions. It’s an attractive price to receive yet another card.

He doesn’t always need to commit a foul to get a telling-off. In the clash against Real Madrid, he got booked due to his reaction after a decision went against him. He made four fouls in Sociedad’s most recent clash at this venue. It shows just how rash the Spaniard can be.

That 3.70 price is tasty. There’s plenty of value. Clashes between these two clubs have provided lots of cards in recent seasons. He’s a hothead and can snap at any point. Let that yellow card streak continue, Mr Le Normand.

• Real Sociedad vs Valencia Prediction 3: Robin Le Normand to be Booked (TRACKED BET)
• Best Odds: 3.70
• Bookmaker: Unibet
• Stake: 2/10

Real Sociedad vs Valencia Prediction odds via bet365 as at 09:00, May 13th, 2024. Odds may now differ.

Real Sociedad vs Valencia Team News and Possible Lineups: Teaser

Real Sociedad have several absentees. Aihen Munoz is out for the season with a cruciate ligament injury. Igor Zubeldia and Martin Zubimendi are likely to return later this month. The pair are suffering from muscle injuries.

The visitors are without Mouctar Diakhaby. He’s out for the season. Fran Perez may feature here; he’s been out for a few weeks. Jaume Domenech won’t play a part in this one. He’s out with a hamstring injury.

Real Sociedad possible starting lineup:
Remiro; Odriozola, Le Normand, Pacheco, Galan, Merino, Turrientes, Kubo, Mendez, Becker; Oyarzabal

Valencia possible starting lineup:
Mamardashvili; Correia, Mosquera, Ozkacar, Gasiorowski, Guerra, Pepelu, Gonzalez, Lopez, Canos; Duro

Match Stats: Goals, Cards & Uninspiring H2Hs

• There’s been just four goals in the previous five H2Hs between these two sides.
• Hugo Duro has scored 13 goals in La Liga this season, the most of any player between the two clubs.
• Robin Le Normand has received 13 yellow cards this term, the second most across the entire division.
• Real Sociedad won the reverse fixture despite having just two shots.

Real Sociedad Fixtures: Tough Final Clash In The Capital

• Vs Betis (H)
• Vs Atletico Madrid (A)

Valencia Fixtures: Can They Earn Any More Points?

• Vs Girona (H)
• Vs Celta Vigo (A)

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