Espanyol will be bidding to stretch their unbeaten run of form in all competitions to six matches when they make the trip to Anoeta Stadium on Sunday evening to tackle Real Sociedad.
The visitors are currently 17th in the La Liga table, two points above 18th-placed Alaves, while an underwhelming campaign has left Real Sociedad in 11th spot, boasting only 28 points from their 22 matches.
Match preview
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Real Sociedad have not finished lower than sixth in Spain's top flight since 2019, while they have only been outside of the top 10 once in their last nine campaigns, which is an indication of how disappointing their current season has been.
The White and Blues have a record of eight wins, four draws and 10 defeats from their 22 matches, which has left them in 11th spot in the table on 28 points, but they are only four points behind sixth-placed Rayo Vallecano.
Imanol Alguacil's team have a lot of football to come over the next few weeks, as they booked their spot in the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey on Thursday evening courtesy of a 2-0 home success over Osasuna.
The Basque outfit are also facing a Europa League two-legged playoff against FC Midtjylland, but their league form has suffered due to the volume of games that they are playing, suffering three straight defeats in Spain's top flight, while four losses have arrived in their last five matches.
Real Sociedad have found it difficult in front of their own fans this season, meanwhile, picking up only 14 points from 11 matches, and they will be welcoming an Espanyol outfit that are growing in confidence.
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Espanyol are unbeaten this year, picking up eight points from their four league games in 2025, overcoming Real Valladolid and Real Madrid, in addition to drawing 1-1 with both Leganes and Sevilla.
An 85th-minute goal from Carlos Romero saw the Catalan outfit beat Real Madrid last weekend, with the result moving them out of the relegation zone and into 17th, two points ahead of 18th-placed Alaves.
The White and Blues are still very much in the relegation picture at this stage of the campaign, but their recent results have been impressive, and another victory this weekend could move them as high as 13th.
Espanyol's away form is a concern, though, losing seven of their last eight on their travels in La Liga, while they have not posted a victory away from home in Spain's top flight since May 2023.
The Catalan club are also on a four-game losing run against Real Sociedad in La Liga, while they have not managed to beat La Real on their travels at this level of football since September 2015.
Team News
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Real Sociedad remain without the services of long-term absentee Hamari Traore, while Alvaro Odriozola is also expected to be unavailable for selection on Sunday due to a rib problem.
Head coach Alguacil will certainly have one eye on the trip to Midtjylland in the Europa League next week, but Real Sociedad also need results in the league, and a strong XI is therefore set to start on Sunday.
The only change from the Copa del Rey quarter-final against Osasuna could come in a wide position, with Sergio Gomez bidding to start, but Mikel Oyarzabal and Martin Zubimendi should again be in the starting side.
As for Espanyol, Brian Olivan is a doubt due to a thigh injury, while Jose Gragera is not yet ready to return from a muscular issue, so the visitors could have two absentees this weekend.
Due to the manner of the performance and result against Real Madrid, it would not be a surprise to see the same XI take to the field here, with Roberto Fernandez operating through the middle.
Romero - the match winner against Real Madrid - will continue at left-back, while there will be another spot in the side for Javi Puado, who has found the back of the net on seven occasions in La Liga this term.
Real Sociedad possible starting lineup:
Remiro; Elustondo, Zubeldia, Aguerd, Munoz; Kubo, Mendez, Zubimendi, Marin, S Gomez; Oyarzabal
Espanyol possible starting lineup:
J Garcia; El Hilali, Kumbulla, Cabrera, Romero; Lozano, Gonzalez; Carreras, Kral, Puado; Fernandez
We say: Real Sociedad 2-1 Espanyol
Real Sociedad have won each of their last four home league games against Espanyol, and we are backing a narrow success for the Basque outfit this weekend, but it would not be a surprise to see the points shared.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Matt Law
