Espanyol vs Real Sociedad
The curtain will fall on the 21st round of the La Liga season on Monday in Barcelona, when third-placed Real Sociedad will face a win-hungry Espanyol.
This match brings together two teams with different challenges but a shared priority of grabbing three crucial points at the end of the weekend.
La Real had put themselves in the title chasing picture but a return of just one point from the last two games has seen them drift off the pace. Meanwhile, Espanyol have been pulling themselves away from trouble with a run of just one defeat in seven games, but they still sit just two points above the drop zone.
Espanyol come into the game on the back of a 1-1 draw with Osasuna, while Sociedad lost 1-0 at home to Real Valladolid, and the La Liga 2023 betting odds predict a tight game.
The RCDE Stadium will be bouncing on Monday with plenty at stake.
Talking Points
Is Leeds a possibility for Martinez?
Espanyol head coach Diego Martinez was warmly welcomed when he arrived at the beginning of this season and, while not everything has gone to plan, the Catalonians are keen to keep him.
A change of manager in this situation, 15th in the table and gradually improving, could be disastrous. But the sacking of Leeds United boss Jesse Marsch has made club officials around Europe twitchy, and Espanyol is one of the clubs who may be the most worried.
Having led Granada to Europa League qualification in 2021, Martinez took a year out to study the game in England, learning from coaches including Pep Guardiola and Rafa Benitez.
And while Espanyol have only won four league games from 20, the manager has a proven track record and should comfortably keep Los Periquitos in the top-flight. But with 18 months left on his contract, he may well be affordable for the West Yorkshire club.
Espanyol live in the shadow of neighbours Barcelona, while Leeds United is the biggest club in Yorkshire and Martinez may be tempted by a return to England.
But Espanyol fans will be desperate to see him stay and guide the team to safety, and with strikers of the quality of 11-goal Joselu and former Barca star Martin Braithwaite, they are always in with a chance.
Sociedad reset priority
Imanol Iguacil has led Sociedad to a great position in La Liga. But like all the other chasers, his team stepped aside for Barcelona last week, and a brief idea that La Real may be title contenders has gone.
So a top-four place and Champions League football is the target and that would be a big step up from last term’s sixth place finish.
Striker Alexander Sorloth has been a revelation this season with eight goals, but the standout performer has been 24-year-old midfielder Martin Zubimendi, who has been the pivotal player for La Real especially with the injury troubles of the influential Mikel Moreno.
Zubimendi is very much capable of producing La Liga 2023 highlights since he has a brilliant passing range, very strong in the air, and is in the mould of Manchester City’s Rodri.
He has been courted by Premier League leaders Arsenal but Zubimendi is Sociedad through and through, born and raised in the beautiful city of San Sebastien and it would be a huge wrench for him to leave the club and his home.
History
La Real have had the better of the head-to-headsover the past 50 games, winning 23 of the encounters while Espanyol have won 14 and there have been 13 draws.
Sociedad won the return match 2-1 as Sorloth set them on the way to victory, while Espanyol won this fixture last season with the only goal of the game.
The two teams are at opposite ends of the league table but there is little to choose between their recent form, with Espanyol winning two, drawing two, and losing two of the last six games in all competitions, while La Real have won three, drawn one, and lost two.
Espanyol are unbeaten at home in five games, and the RCDE will be an unwelcoming place for La Real on Monday night.
Betting Tip
With Espanyol at SBOTOP odds of 3.06 to win and the draw at 2.96, there is plenty for the home fans to be hopeful about, while at odds of 2.30, the visitors are favourites. With home advantage and decent form, I think Martinez will lead Espanyol to a positive result, and then the board will do their best to keep him happy.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR (⭐) BETS ARE WORTH:
⭐⭐⭐= €20 (HIGHLY CONFIDENT)
⭐⭐= €10 (CONFIDENT))
⭐= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT)
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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