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Real Valladolid logo
La Liga | Gameweek 1
Sep 13, 2020 at 3pm UK
Estadio Municipal José Zorrilla
Real Sociedad logo

Real Valladolid
1 - 1
Real Sociedad

Michel (39')
Michel (44'), Nacho (51'), Rubio (64'), Fernandez (69')
FT(HT: 1-0)
Lopez (60')
Elustondo (62')

Preview: Real Valladolid vs. Real Sociedad - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Sunday's Championship fixture between Real Valladolid and Real Sociedad, including team news and injury news.

Real Sociedad get the 2020-21 La Liga campaign underway on Sunday afternoon with a trip to Estadio Jose Zorrilla to face Real Valladolid.

While the visitors finished in sixth place in last season's standings, their hosts claimed 13th position, six points above the relegation zone.


Match preview

Manchester City midfielder David Silva pictured on July 18, 2020© Reuters

Despite their eventual finishing position proving enough to earn Europa League football, Real Sociedad did not always impress during the closing weeks of last season.

Four successive defeats in June effectively put paid to their hopes of qualification for the Champions League, with nine points from their remaining half-a-dozen fixtures being required to ensure that their previous hard work did not go to waste.

While minimal transfer activity has taken place at Anoeta, boss Imanol Alguacil has been forced to replace star man Martin Odegaard, who has returned to Real Madrid, with veteran David Silva.

As it stands, it remains to be seen whether that will benefit or hinder a club who have ambitions to establish themselves in the top six on a regular basis.

Nevertheless, the acquisition of Silva is regarded as a considerable coup, and the 34-year-old's experience may prove key in what will likely prove to be another competitive race for the European spots.

Valladolid, on the other hand, will be content with consolidation over any significant surge up the standings after finishing comfortably above the relegation zone last season.

However, only nine victories were recorded from their 38 matches in La Liga, the last of which came on the final day of the campaign after three successive defeats.

While everyone associated with the club would have been delighted with an improvement of three places in comparison to their 2018-19 effort, there were small margins for error during the run-in.

Valladolid must also do without key defender Mohammed Salisu, whose form has earned him a transfer to Southampton.

Real Valladolid form (pre-season friendlies): LWL

Real Sociedad form (pre-season friendlies): WDLDW


Team News

Real Sociedad striker Willian Jose pictured in November 2019© Reuters

As a result of positive coronavirus cases, Sociedad are missing several of their key players.

Mikel Oyarzabal, Silva and Willian Jose are all on the sidelines, while Joseba Zaldua is doubtful through injury.

Meanwhile, Valladolid are expected to hand a debut to Fabian Orellana after his switch from Eibar.

With Kiko Olivas sidelined through injury, Joaquin Fernandez and Javi Sanchez should form a new central-defensive partnership.

Real Valladolid possible starting lineup:
Masip; Moyano, Sanchez, Fernandez, Nacho; Orellana, Emeterio, Alcarez, Villa; Guardiola, Plano

Real Sociedad possible starting lineup:
Rmeiro; Gorosabel, Elustondo, Llorente, Munoz; Lopez, Zubeldia, Merino; Portu, Isak, Barrenetxea


SM words green background

We say: Real Valladolid 1-2 Real Sociedad

With Sociedad having to adapt to life without Odegaard, this game could be closer than many may have initially anticipated. However, eager to hit back after a disappointing end to last season, we feel that Sociedad will edge out their hosts by the odd goal in three.


Top betting tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting a double chance bet on a home win or an away win in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Home/Away:data


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Data Analysis

Our analysis of all available data, including recent performances and player stats up until an hour before kickoff, suggested the most likely outcome of this match was a Real Sociedad win with a probability of 41.71%. A win for Real Valladolid had a probability of 30.3% and a draw had a probability of 28%.

The most likely scoreline for a Real Sociedad win was 0-1 with a probability of 12.55%. The next most likely scorelines for that outcome were 1-2 (8.35%) and 0-2 (8%). The likeliest Real Valladolid win was 1-0 (10.26%), while for a drawn scoreline it was 1-1 (13.09%). The actual scoreline of 1-1 was predicted with a 13.1% likelihood.


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Game History

Who will win Sunday's La Liga clash between Real Valladolid and Real Sociedad?

Real Valladolid
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Draw
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Real Sociedad
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Manchester City midfielder David Silva pictured on July 18, 2020
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rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona13110240122833
2Real Madrid1283125111427
3Atletico MadridAtletico137511971226
4Villarreal127322319424
5Osasuna136341720-321
6Athletic Bilbao135531913620
7Real BetisBetis135531412220
8Real Sociedad135351110118
9Mallorca135351010018
10GironaGirona135351617-118
11Celta Vigo135262022-217
12Rayo Vallecano124441313016
13Sevilla134361218-615
14Leganes133551316-314
15AlavesAlaves134181422-813
16Las PalmasLas Palmas133371622-612
17Getafe13175811-310
18Espanyol123181122-1110
19Real ValladolidValladolid132381025-159
20Valencia11146817-97


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