Girona vs Real Sociedad prediction: SPAIN: LaLiga betting tips on match 2022-10-01 16:30.
“Happy and satisfied but sad about the result” was how Girona manager MĂchel assessed a disappointing 2-1 loss at Betis last round that saw them yet again unable to string together back-to-back La Liga (LL) victories – a feat that has now eluded them for a run of 33 top-flight outings. MĂchel remained assured that his team’s performance was deserving of more and that repeat efforts would earn points more often than not.
One aspect of Girona’s development that MĂchel can be pleased with is his defensive unit being amongst a handful of those to have conceded only one goal inside the first half hour during the first six rounds, assisting them to open the scoring in their two most recent outings. After 46 of the 57 LL opening goals prior to the international break were converted to victory, Girona indeed have laid some building blocks for future success.
This matchup at Girona was one of two to produce scoreless draws when these sides last met in the 2018/19 season, but with Real Sociedad finishing higher than their ninth-place effort in that year across three subsequent campaigns, they should in theory be better placed to improve upon those two results here – especially after manager Imanol Alguacil hailed his squad as “much better than the one we had last year” following a 2-1 victory over Espanyol.
Add this fixture to upcoming contests against Celta Vigo, Mallorca and Valladolid and October could be a profitable month to send them back into European contention after their worst six-game start to a season (by points earned – ten) since that 2018/19 season. Whilst Alguacil will take no opposition for granted, already having failed to defeat any team to be 15th or higher during the international break (D1, L2), taking on two newly promoted clubs this month could help him negotiate a very busy nine-match slate.
Players to watch: Perhaps this is the day for Rodrigo Riquelme to find his first goal for Girona after a double for Spain’s U21s during the international break. Meanwhile, Alexander Sørloth went into that period with goals in his last two competitive club starts and has never lost when scoring for Sociedad (W6, D3).
Hot streak: Sociedad’s five wins across all tournaments this season have been by a one-goal margin.