Elche vs Real Sociedad prediction: SPAIN: LaLiga betting tips on match 2022-08-26 15:30.
All the promise of Elcheâs equal-highest top-flight finish this century from last campaign (13th) has so far failed to carry over into 2022/23, after a 1-1 draw with newcomers AlmerĂa was another sign that theyâre on the way to replicating their terribly sluggish start to the previous La Liga (LL) season (W2, D6, L7 after 15 games). Following nine losses from their 12 LL encounters with top-six clubs last season (W1, D2, L9), Elcheâs opening round thrashing by Real Betis (L 0-3) suggests they may be no match for visiting Real Sociedad.
Four changes to the starting XI and a tweak of formation against AlmerĂa last time out did make a positive impact, and manager Francisco asserted that his side did enough to win the game despite the result. Seeing Barcelona loanee Ălex Collado score within half an hour of his debut for Elche will have been particularly encouraging, particularly now that his last ten goals for any club have been registered at a home stadium.
Sociedad became the first Spanish club since Barcelona themselves (September 2021) to be on the wrong end of a Robert Lewandowski brace as their ambitions to touch new heights after consecutive top-six finishes took a minor step backwards when losing 4-1 to Barcelona last weekend. Manager Imanol Alguacil was especially concerned about his players not being able to âkeep up the paceâ beyond the first hour, illustrated by the trio of late goals conceded in a 15-minute period.
Their supporters perhaps ought not be surprised, considering that Sociedadâs LL record last year against fellow top-six finishers was a winless D4, L6, compared with an impressive 61% win rate (W17, D7, L4) against the remainder of the competition. A repeat of their 1-0 defeat of CĂĄdiz in their last LL away trip will therefore be demanded.
Players to watch: Ălex Collado's (Elche) last seven LL goals have all been scored at home, with the match opener in the previous H2H his most recent. After his match-winner against CĂĄdiz, Sociedadâs Takefusa Kubo has won the last seven games in which he has scored for any club in any competition.
Hot streak: Sociedad have scored either one or two goals in their last six LL away victories.