Real Sociedad vs Espanyol: Match Preview and Prediction

Real Sociedad vs Espanyol
2016/17 Spanish La Liga
Date: Friday, 9 September 2016,
Kick-Off: 19:45 UK
Venue: Estadio Municipal de Anoeta, San Sebastian.

Real Sociedad bounced back with a 2-0 win at Osasuna after suffering a 3-0 loss to Real Madrid on the opening day. The Royals are looking to improve upon the ninth placed finish last season and Eusebio Sacristan will be hoping to build upon the momentum when Espanyol comes to town on Friday evening.

While Espanyol earned their first point of the season with the 2-2 home draw against Malaga in the last round. They were beaten 6-4 at Sevilla on the opening day of the 2016/17 Spanish League. And poor defending is a major concern for Quique Flores Sanchez as his team prepares for a difficult away match at Anoeta on Friday.

Real Sociedad vs Espanyol: Head-to-Head Stats

Real Sociedad lost 3-2 to Espanyol in the corresponding fixture of previous season. This was also their first win at Anoeta in eight seasons. While Espanyol suffered a heavy 5-0 defeat to Sociedad in the home fixture of the 2015/16 season.

Real Sociedad have won in 10 of the last 19 home meetings with Espanyol, while they lost just 3 times with 6 matches seeing draws.

There are no draws in the last 6 meetings between Espanyol and Real Sociedad, with Sociedad leading with 4 wins against 2 lost.

Real Sociedad vs Espanyol: Prediction

Eusebio Sacristan has a fully fit squad to welcome Espanyol to Anoeta on Friday night. Let alone the defeat to Real Madrid on the opening week, Sociedad has done pretty well in the friendlies and have a strong head-to-head record in recent seasons against Espanyol. And this is the kind of match they must be winning to fulfil their season ambitions.

While the visiting Espanyol have already conceded 8 goals in two matches this season, but also scored 6 times during the period. Also six of the 7 previous meetings between these two have seen over 2.5 goals, so expect the same here.