Valladolid vs Real Sociedad prediction: SPAIN: LaLiga betting tips on match 2022-10-21 14:15.
Real Valladolidâs emphatic 4-1 midweek win over Celta Vigo boosted their chances of avoiding a fifth demotion from La Liga (LL) this century, with a chaotic second half seeing them score as many goals in 20 minutes as they had done across their preceding seven LL home fixtures. In turn, theyâre now two points better off than at the same point of the last season they were relegated from the Spanish top-flight back in 2020/21.
That triumphant result also marked Valladolidâs first top-flight home haul of more than one goal since March 2021, but theyâll know that scoring first is still hugely advisable, despite their newfound momentum. In a somewhat chilling stat, Valladolid have recovered just two LL home points from the last 30 available after conceding first, in a barren run going back to October 2020.
Surprising some by making an early challenge for the title, Real Sociedad won for the eighth time in succession across all competitions when they overcame a brave Mallorca 1-0 in midweek to propel them into third place, though this only matches their position from the previous LL campaign after ten games played. That makes Sociedad firm favourites for their visit to Valladolid, despite the Basque side going three LL road trips without a shutout prior to kick-off.
Success hasnât come easily on the road this year, with only two of Sociedadâs away league victories posted in 2022 coming by more than a single-goal margin. They were also held to a 1-1 draw on their last visit to the Estadio Municipal JosĂ© Zorrilla, though that result forms the tail-end of a seven-match unbeaten run at this venue (W1, D6).
Players to watch: Sergio LeĂłn smashed Valladolid's last two goals against Celta in midweek, making it three multiples across his last four goalscoring games. As for in-form Sociedad, Mikel Merino was the hero last time out after netting his first goal of 2022/23 and his last three goalscoring matches have ended in clean-sheet wins for his side.
Hot stat: Sociedad have won the second half âto-nilâ in three of their last four away H2Hs vs Valladolid.