Recovering from a string of poor results and seeking the rapprochement of the teams at the top of the Spanish league table, Real Sociedad receives Espanyol on Monday, October 23. For the ninth round of the 2017/2018 La Liga season, the duel takes place at the Anoeta stadium in San Sebastian, scheduled to start at 16h (Brasília time).
The recent performance of Real Sociedad
Real Sociedad flew high at the start of the season. He reached three consecutive victories in the opening days of the Spanish Championship and, breaking, they increased to four by overcoming Rosenborg 4-0 at home in the first round of the Europa League group stage.
However, he plummeted following four straight defeats. Three of them for La Liga and the other for the continental tournament. It managed to react stopping the failures with the tie, by 4 to 4, against the Betis. Then, as a visitor, made 2 to 0 in the Alaves. The improvement was confirmed on Thursday, October 19. Away from home, the Sociedad thrashed the Vardar, of Macedonia, by 6 to 0, and assumed the isolated deputy leadership of group L of the Europa League. Zenit leads with nine points.
In the balance of losses and damages, had slightly negative balance after eight rounds of the Spanish Championship. Before the ball rolled for the day of number nine it occupied the seventh position. With 13 points (four wins, one draw and three losses) he is outside the classification zone for European competitions in the season 2017/2018. This Monday’s game is the opportunity to re-enter the elite squad.
The current form of Espanyol
Espanyol’s season opener also features more lows than highs. With nine points (two wins, three draws and three defeats), the Catalan club completed their eighth-round play-off draw at home with Levante, scoreless in the 13th place.
Campaign below expectations for a team that came close to winning a place in the Europa League the previous season and intended to take that step forward in 2017/2018. At the moment, the goal to be achieved is to avoid relegation to the Second Division.
To try to take off from the sticking region, coach Quique Flores will be able to count on all his main players. Among the most frequently used athletes, none are injured or suspended.
History of matches against Real Sociedad and Espanyol
Real Sociedad have not lost to Espanyol for three matches. It was two wins and a draw in the period.
PREDICTION:Real Sociedad win @ 1.80
