Football Prediction
Laliga newbies Almeria visits Real Sociedad looking for their second away win of the season.
Sociedad’s last week win over Barcelona didn’t only spoil Barcelona’s title celebrations but boosted their dreams of finishing strongly this season as they aim for a top-four finish as they aim to return to Champions League football.
The newly promoted Almeria this year have proved themselves as the surprise package who are playing much better than most people expected. Last season, they were in the second level of Spanish football, so most La Liga fans expected Almeria to struggle to avoid relegation. At the moment, Rubi’s team is in a respectable 13th place but with three games still left to play, they can’t just rest just yet as they are just four points off the relegation zone.
H2H/Stats
Almeria suffered a 2-0 defeat to Real Sociedad in the reverse match between the two sides earlier this season, but they actually won 2-1 when they last visited the Basque outfit in Spain’s top flight back in September 2014.
Recent Meetings
8-Jan-2023: Almeria 0-2 Real Sociedad
13-Feb-2015: Almeria 2-2 Real Sociedad
21-Sept-2014: Real Sociedad 1-2 Almeria
24-Mar-2014: Almeria 4-3 Real Sociedad
27-Oct-2013: Real Sociedad 3-0 Almeria
Team News
David Silva, Brais Mendez, Umar Sadiq, and Martin Merquelanz missed Real Sociedad’s last game with injuries and the group is still expected to be out of this tie. Takefusa Kubo and Mikel Oyarzabal are expected to return to the starting XI, but Asier Illarramendi’s impressive performance in central midfield should see him retain his position alongside Merino and Martin Zubimendi.
As for Almeria, Kaiky, Martin Svidersky, Chumi and El Bilal Toure remain on the sidelines through injury, but the visitors have not reported any fresh fitness concerns.
Probable Line Ups
Real Sociedad XI: Remiro; Elustondo, Zubeldia, Le Normand, Rico; Illarramendi, Merino, Zubimendi; Oyarzabal, Sorloth, Kubo
Almeria XI: Martinez; Pozo, Ely, Babic, Centelles; Robertone, Costa, De la Hoz; Lazaro, Suarez, Embarba
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Verdict
Real Sociedad is the team that has benefited the most from the opponent’s own goals in LaLiga 2022-23 (four, level with Rayo Vallecano) and come to this game having not lost any of their last five La Liga matches (W3 D2), keeping a clean sheet in three.
Almería has won two of their last three LaLiga matches, having won just one of their previous seven in the competition (D2 L4).
Verdict: Sociedad win✅
Anytime Goalscorer
Mikel Merino❌
The former Newcastle United man has provided second highest assists in LaLiga 2022-23 (9) only behind Griezmann (12) and drawing level with Vinicius Jr. (9). He might not be scoring regularly but with goals evenly spread in the team, this might be the perfect time for him to register his name in the scoresheet.
Almeria: Lozaro❌
The Brazilian’s hat trick against Mallaroca on Saturday helped his team to move upto 13th spot and not only helped them to grab three important points but also gave a boost in the goal difference. He is the guy Sociedad will have to keep quiet if they are to sail smoothly in the tie.
Extra tips 👇
We’ve got more bold picks from different matches with all of the permutations and possible outcomes in mind.
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We also have Both Team To Score, Over 2.5 Market and a safe bet of Over 1.5.
1X2 Market
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BTTS
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Over 2.5
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Safe bet – Over 1.5
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Check out our Jackpot predictions.
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