La Liga: Sociedad Aim to Break Their Drought Against Valencia

Real Sociedad vs Valencia

Real Sociedad will look to pick up where they left off as they’ll host Valencia for their 14^th La Liga fixture of the 2021/22 season.

La Real took the top spot at the table prior to the final international break of 2021 and they will fancy their chances of staying there against Los Che.

Valencia, on the other hand, are placed 10^th at the table with 17 points and they’re at a logjam alongside derby rivals Barcelona and Espanyol. Jose Bordalas’ side can move up into the top half of the table should they stay unbeaten for the third consecutive time.

Despite their disparity in the standings, Real Sociedad have struggled against Valencia in recent occasions and they cannot afford a slip-up especially with Real Madrid lurking and aiming to seize control with a winnable game vs. Granada.

The pre-match SBOTOP betting odds offer optimism for Imanol Alguacil’s side, and it’s on them to show everyone why they are to be considered as championship contenders this season.

Talking Points

Real Sociedad are clicking

The top four in Spanish top-flight is tight as they are only separated by five points and a lot can change in the coming weeks – making this final stretch of the calendar year crucial.

Real Sociedad are fresh from a 2-0 win over an improved Osasuna side as Mikel Merino and Adnan Januzaj poured in the late winning goals.

La Liga

Atletico Madrid

Osasuna

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Compared to last season where they’ve faltered late as they were over-reliant on Mikel Oyarzabal and David Silva, Imanol Alguacil is now able to get robust production from his other key players this time around.

Second leading scorer Alexander Isak has been solid with five goals and one assist while Aritz Elustondo – who’s known primarily as a defender – is level with Mikel Merino with three goals and one assist.

There’s more good news for Imanol Alguacil as the talismanic Mikel Oyarzabal is expected to play after returning to training last Monday.

Oyarzabal got some much-needed rest after being held out in Spain’s previous World Cup qualifying games against Sweden and Greece.

Carlos Soler and Goncalo Guedes lead the line for Valencia

Since being appointed as Valencia manager last summer, Jose Bordalas has been steadying the ship for Los Che.

Jose Bordalas’ CV speaks for itself and he looks to be up for the challenge and his work will be cut out for him in trying to get the best out of his stars.

La Liga: Can Valencia hand Real Sociedad their first defeat of the season? — Valencia manager Jose Bordalas observes his team during their La Liga clash against Atletico Madrid at the Mestalla Stadium

The one-two punch of Carlos Soler and Goncalo Guedes will take centre stage for Los Che once more, and they’ve combined for seven goals and five assists thus far.

22-year-old striker Hugo Duro is also flourishing under Bordalas’ tutelage as he has four goals under his account, while experienced full-back Jose Gaya has two goals and one assist.

Compared to where they were at this point last season, Valencia have a great chance in contending for an Europa League spot but the positive La Liga 2021 results would have to come more often.

History

The reason why Real Sociedad shouldn’t let their guard down is because they’ve struggled against Valencia lately.

La Real have only won once in their last eight La Liga matches against Los Che (D3, L4), this after winning 10 of their previous 12 in the same competition (D1, L1).

Los Che have won three of their last four visits at Reale Arena against La Real (L1) after failing to win in their previous six road league games (D1, L5).

However, recent form favours Imanol Alguacil’s men as they’ve avoided defeat in their last 12 Spanish top-flight fixtures (W8, D4), which is their longest undefeated streak in the competition since April 2013. Real Sociedad and Valencia’s most recent meeting took place last April where b oth clubs shared the spoils in a four-goal affair.

Betting Tip

	Real Sociedad vs Valencia	Real Sociedad Asian Handicap -0.75 @ 2.01
	November 22, 4:00 (GMT+8)

The La Liga 2021 odds have Real Sociedad as the favourites to win in this contest. Real Sociedad are installed at 1.76 to win, whereas Valencia are priced at 4.40 and a draw is pegged at 3.65 in the 1X2 market.

Valencia have showed character in the last time out and they’ll look to replicate or even outdo their previous effort.

But with their subpar road record and with the hosts having several key players back, it’s unlikely that they’ll spoil the party at the Reale Arena this weekend.

Imanol Alguacil’s side is slowly rounding into form as they’re sitting on top of La Liga again. However, the biggest question for them is whether they’ll be able to hold on or not.