Real Sociedad kick off the La Liga weekend at Anoeta against relegation dwellers Elche. The Royals go into the game winless in four of their last six games and need a win to solidify their place in the top six.
Elche are 19th in La Liga on 30 points. Only one point separates them from relegation zone escape, however. The bottom of La Liga’s table is competitive with six teams within eight points of each other from 15th place down to 20th.
🛠️ Seguimos 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗮𝗷𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗼➡️ Seguimos 𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗲 pic.twitter.com/Mr1yApzOXW— Elche Club de Fútbol 🌴 (@elchecf) May 3, 2021
🛠️ Seguimos 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗮𝗷𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗼➡️ Seguimos 𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗲 pic.twitter.com/Mr1yApzOXW
Elche head into the game following a 1-0 loss at home to Atletico Madrid. The loss ended a two-match unbeaten run for the Green Striped Ones.
Real Sociedad were 3-0 winners in the reverse fixture against Elche this season. After a stalemate in the first half, Imanol Alguacil’s team scored three times in the second period. Cristian Portu, Adnan Januzaj (penalty), and Roberto Lopez got the goals for the Royals.
Alguacil’s team took eight points from the last 18 on offer in La Liga. Goals continue to be stubborn as Real Sociedad scored just seven times. The defence only conceded seven times over the course of those games, however.
Elche took five points from the last 18 on offer. They only scored four times and conceded eight times to opponents. Elche have scored the third-fewest goals in La Liga with 29. Meanwhile, they have allowed 50 goals to opponents, the third-most in the division.
Real Sociedad, on the other hand, have allowed the fifth-fewest goals with 35. The goals have dried up for the most part since Real Sociedad were topping the table in the early stages of the season. Still, they have scored 51 times.
Alguacil has a long list of injured players going into the game. Fernandez Luna is a doubt due to a muscle injury. Igor Zubeldia is also a doubt thanks to a muscle strain.
Urko Gonzalez and Jon Pacheco are both doubts following positive COVID-19 tests. There is hope that the trio of Aihen Munoz, Asier Illarramendi, and Luca Sangalli will all be fit this weekend.
Elche manager Fran Escriba could be without Johan Mojica and Guido Carrillo. Both players are suffering from muscle injuries.
Real Sociedad may be winless in four of their last six games, but should get back to winning ways against Elche on Friday night.
Like the fixture played earlier this season, Real Sociedad should win to nil. This time, the game should see under 2.5 goals.