Real Sociedad had a season of two halves in 2019-20. Before the La Liga pandemic pause, the Royal were fighting for a Champions League qualification place. Real Sociedad did not restart the season well and dropped to sixth place.
Manager Imanol Alguacil led the team to Europa League qualification after recovering from a poor restart. Now, Alguacil will aim for those top four places in what could be a wide open La Liga campaign.
Real Sociedad won’t have it easy away to Real Valladolid at the weekend. Several players tested positive for COVID-19 including Willian Jose and Mikel Oyarzabal. Jose is out of the game while Oyarzabal’s status is unclear due to his time in quarantine.
Real Valladolid ended last season in 13th place. Their 42 total points ensured they remained in La Liga for at least another season. Six points separated Real Valladolid from the drop.
The club have spent money in the offseason. Their most exciting signing is Israeli international Shon Weissman. The striker scored 30 goals in 31 Austrian Bundesliga matches for Wolfsberger AC last term.
Real Valladolid scored just two goals more as a team in 2019-20 than Weissman did in the Austrian Bundesliga. Weismann could be the most significant La Liga signing this offseason.
Real Sociedad are not just missing Jose and potentially Oyarzabal this weekend. Martin Odergaard returned to Real Madrid at the end of the campaign. The Norwegian scored four goals and added six assists in La Liga last season.
The club did sign former Manchester City player David Silva in the offseason. However, it was confirmed Silva tested positive for COVID-19. His participation in the game is unclear although it is likely that Silva is back in training.
The Royal are unbeaten in three straight games versus Real Valladolid. Last season, Real Sociedad took four points from six off of the White and Violet. Their game played at Valladolid ended in a nil-nil draw.
Their game at Anoeta ended 1-0 in favour of Real Sociedad thanks to a second-half goal from Adnan Januzaj. Real Sociedad are unbeaten in 10 of their last 11 games against Real Valladolid. Their only loss to the White and Violet over the course of 11 meetings came at Anoeta in December 2018.
Real Sociedad have player health issues heading into the game. They are still a strong team and capable of fighting for a top-six place this term. Eleven of the last 15 games between Real Valladolid and Real Sociedad ended with both teams scoring.
💪 Ilusionados y preparados para competir.🎥 Repasa la rueda de prensa completa de Imanol.#RealValladolidRealSociedad #AurreraReala— Real Sociedad Fútbol (@RealSociedad) September 11, 2020
💪 Ilusionados y preparados para competir.🎥 Repasa la rueda de prensa completa de Imanol.#RealValladolidRealSociedad #AurreraReala
Sunday’s game should see both teams find the back of the net as Real Sociedad claim a matchday 1 win. Expect over 2.5 goals to be scored.