Real Sociedad vs Espanyol Prediction 24.08.2025
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Real Sociedad vs Espanyol Prediction
Real Sociedad vs Espanyol Prediction and Betting Tips for Sunday’s La Liga fixture at Anoeta Stadium. La Real are seeking their first win of the season after a hard-fought 1-1 against Valencia, while Espanyol arrive brimming with belief following a 2-1 upset over Atletico Madrid. In this article, we’ll explore form, stats, and LaLiga Predictions from our XpertStats analysts.
- Real Sociedad start life under new boss Sergio Francisco after a tricky draw with Valencia.
- Espanyol stunned Atletico Madrid with a comeback win on opening weekend.
- Sociedad have beaten Espanyol in their last five league meetings.
- No draws between these two since October 2017 – history points to a decisive result.
Sociedad’s new chapter under Sergio Francisco didn’t begin with fireworks, but a draw away to Valencia is hardly a disaster. Takefusa Kubo was again decisive, hitting back quickly after his team fell behind. Still, the Basque side have higher expectations this season. After finishing 11th last term their worst in years the Anoeta faithful are craving a top-six push. Transfers have been minimal, with Gonçalo Guedes and Duje Caleta-Car the only fresh faces, but sometimes stability works in your favor. The question is: can they shake off last season’s struggles and deliver consistently?
What Sociedad do have is history on their side. Five straight wins over Espanyol isn’t a coincidence. Mikel Oyarzabal leads the attack, while Kubo remains the creative spark despite summer speculation around his future. There’s also potential for Caleta-Car to slot into the defense after a decent debut cameo. At home, with the crowd demanding intensity, this feels like a statement game for Francisco’s men. A win here could set the tone for their campaign.
Espanyol, though, won’t be easy prey. They’re coming off a confidence-boosting 2-1 victory against Atletico, where they showed grit and personality. Falling behind didn’t faze them; Miguel Rubio and Pere Milla turned the tide with big goals. That kind of resilience is exactly what coach Manolo Gonzalez has been preaching. Add to that a busy summer window with Roberto Fernandez returning permanently and you’ve got a squad that suddenly looks hungry and competitive.
Still, history isn’t on their side. Espanyol have only beaten Sociedad once since 2021, and Anoeta has been a tough place for them. Their captain Javi Puado remains key to their attack, while Fernandez could trouble the backline if given space. It’s hard to say how this will end, but one thing feels certain: it won’t be a cagey stalemate. With both sides showing attacking intent early this season, expect goals, drama, and a clash that might just set the tone for their seasons. Our tipsters see value in bold LaLiga Predictions that lean toward Sociedad avoiding defeat and goals flowing.
Backing Sociedad to avoid defeat makes sense given the numbers. They’ve beaten Espanyol in five straight league meetings, including last season’s 2-1 at Anoeta. Home advantage also weighs heavily here. Sociedad may have endured a shaky 2024-25 campaign, but at Anoeta they still managed to frustrate stronger sides. With Sergio Francisco now in charge, stability is the first goal, and avoiding defeats in winnable home matches is non-negotiable. Espanyol, while riding high after shocking Atletico, have a historically poor record in San Sebastián – one win in nine. Even with the likes of Pere Milla and Javi Puado leading the line, it’s hard to see them breaking the cycle. La Real will rely on Oyarzabal and Kubo to spark their attack, while their defense looks sturdier with Caleta-Car potentially starting. Considering the head-to-head record and the home crowd’s influence, 1X feels a safe and logical choice.
This fixture screams goals when you dig into the numbers. Sociedad have scored in each of their last five meetings with Espanyol, and four of those ended with at least two goals. The opening rounds of the new season also suggest attacking intent. Sociedad’s 1-1 draw at Valencia saw them create several chances beyond Kubo’s equalizer, while Espanyol just put two past Atletico, a defense usually among the tightest in Spain. Stylistically, both teams like to push forward when given space. Sociedad will attack with Kubo and Oyarzabal, while Espanyol’s Puado and Milla have already shown they can strike when opportunities come. Add to that the fact there hasn’t been a draw between these sides since 2017, and you can expect a decisive, action-packed game. Over 1.5 goals feels like a solid bet, as neither team looks built for a cagey 0-0 at this stage of the season.
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