La Liga: Injury-Hit Real Sociedad Going for Lucky Seven

Real Sociedad vs Elche

Real Sociedad are on a six-game unbeaten run in all competitions and they are keen on maintaining their fine form when Elche come to visit the Reale Arena.

This La Liga fixture may be pitting together two clubs on different sides of the spectrum. However, we’d expect nothing less as both battle for much-needed points to bolster their campaigns.

Thanks to their strong start, La Real have moved up to third at the standings with 13 points. Imanol Alguacil’s men can find themselves at the summit with a victory here and if the two Madrid clubs get bad results this weekend.

On the other hand, Los Franjiverdes are at 15th with six points and they’re hoping to break out of their inconsistency with a rare away win over their power-hungry hosts.

Elche are the underdogs for this fixture and they would prefer to have it that way. Real Sociedad are not exactly under pressure to win this contest, but a loss here is going to be considered a massive upset.

Talking Points

Real Sociedad have major injury concerns

David Silva is looking for a La Liga win with Real Sociedad against Elche — David Silva during the match between Barcelona and Real Sociedad in La Liga

The big question heading into this game is whether Real Sociedad can maintain their sizzling start because their health bill is not looking good at all.

As much as they want to take charge of their destiny this season, sometimes there are things that are just beyond their control.

Since their clash against Sevilla two matchdays ago, La Real have been severely depleted. For this contest, Alexander Isak, Carlos Fernandez, Nacho Monreal, Jon Guridi, Diego Rico, David Silva, Asier Illaramendi, Ander Barrenetxea, and Jon Pacheco are not expected to play.

Although their recent La Liga 2021 results didn’t suffer, this means more burden for the likes of Portu, Alexander Sorloth, and Mikel Oyarzabal to pour in more goals.

Mikel Oyarzabal has been the driving force for Imanol Alguacil’s group with four goals so far, so it’s not unusual to learn that he’s being courted by numerous clubs.

One of them is the Sky Blues over in the Premier League. Pep Guardiola has been a huge admirer of the Spanish forward. And given that Manchester City have a missing piece up front, Oyarzabal certainly fits the profile for them.

With someone like Oyarzabal leading the way, La Real’s top four aspirations should stay intact and he’s expected to take the centre stage once more.

Elche are missing their top hitman

While attacking is not a concern for Real Sociedad, the same can’t be said for Elche – who are currently the second-lowest scoring team with only four goals.

Like La Real, Fran Escriba’s side has been bit by the injury bug and they will miss key men for this fixture.

Midfielders Pedro Bigas and Jony Alamo are going to sit this one out while Lucas Boye, who was their top scorer last season, is unlikely to be involved due to a groin issue.

Lucas Perez and Dario Benedetto should lead the frontline for Los Franjiverdes and the two veteran forwards are expected to hunt for their first goals this season.

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La Liga

History

A key reason as to why Real Sociedad are the favourites for this fixture is because of their great head-to-head record against Elche.

In their last 13 La Liga matches against Los Franjiverdes, La Real have lost just once in April 2015 (W8, D4). Since then, they’ve won four of the last five and they’ve never conceded a single goal.

Real Sociedad are flawless against Elche at home (W15, D2), while the latter has yet to score a single goal in their visits to Basque teams this 2021.

Elche’s attack has been sub-optimal since they’ve scored only four times after their first six La Liga games this term, which is level to their worst scoring start in top-flight since the 1988/89 season.

Their last meeting took place in May where Real Sociedad came out winners via a 2-0 tally. When Elche midfielder Raul Guti was sent off at the 11th minute, La Real took advantage with late goals from Aritz Elustondo and Mikel Oyarzabal.