Real Sociedad vs Osasuna prediction: SPAIN: LaLiga betting tips on match 2022-12-30 15:15.
Real Sociedad steadied themselves after a brief hiccup in October to retain third place in the La Liga (LL) standings during the World Cup break and are immediately back to high stakes, high pressure football. Osasuna, four places below them, but just three points away in an ultra-competitive top half, will travel here looking to defeat Sociedad for the first time in ten years.
A lot will hinge on how Sociedad perform in the opening 45 minutes, for Imanol Alguacilâs men have a perfect record (W6) when leading at half-time this LL season, whilst averaging just one point per game when either level or trailing (W2, D2, L4). Alguacil, who recently celebrated his 200th competitive game in charge of Sociedad with a 5-0 Copa del Rey thrashing of fourth-tier Coria, also boasts an unbeaten record against long-time Osasuna manager Jagoba Arrasate (W5, D2) amongst his 95 career victories.
There will be 500 hopeful Osasuna fans amongst the sellout crowd in San Sebastian hoping to see the visiting side continue some strong form that even saw them lead Barcelona for approximately 40 minutes in a 1-2 loss that followed four LL games without defeat (W3, D1) prior to the World Cup break. By also boasting five consecutive LL opening goals (W3, D1, L1) going into this clash, theyâre bound to test Sociedadâs dependence on a good start.
Yet to conquer any of the six clubs that began this round above them in the LL table (D1, L2), this series of trips to San Sebastian and to Athletic in the following round will determine whether theyâre still on the right path after their finest start to a LL campaign this decade (W7, D2, L5).
Players to watch: After extending Sociedadâs lead in their recent cup win, Brais MĂ©ndez has now won eight of his nine goalscoring appearances in all competitions this season. On a similar note, Chimy Ăvila was on the scoresheet within 15 minutes in not only Osasunaâs last two LL wins, but also in a December friendly victory against French club Brest.
Hot streak: The last five LL H2Hs all produced two or fewer total goals.