Real Sociedad vs Girona prediction: SPAIN: LaLiga betting tips on match 2023-08-11 15:00.
An exciting season beckons for Real Sociedad, whose resolute showings last campaign saw them claim their first La Liga (LL) top-four finish and subsequent UEFA Champions League berth since the 2012/13 season! It remains to be seen how manager Imanol Alguacil and company will handle the added responsibility, especially since one man who knows all about it in David Silva suffered a career-ending injury prior to the season.
Sociedad could somewhat quell those fears with an opening weekend win, but having done so only seven times in the past 26 seasons (D10, L9), an unwanted result could cast doubt in the minds of the home fans. The Estadio Reale Arena faithful might be focusing on more recent history to alleviate their stress, with their side ending the previous season undefeated in their last ten home games (W6, D4).
As for opponents Girona, the bar is set pretty low for them to start this season better than they ended the last, having gone winless in their final five LL matches last campaign (D2, L3). Manager Míchel may have spent the break wondering ‘what if’ had his team never concluded the season in such horrible fashion, ultimately finishing just four points shy of a European spot.
Still, a tenth-place finish in what was their first season back in the top flight is an amazing result for the White and Reds, who since enjoyed an undefeated pre-season to ease them into their latest chapter (W4, D2). They’ll need that momentum to catapult them to a rare opening day league win, something they’ve managed only once in the last seven seasons (D5, L1).
Players to watch: With both sides losing their respective top scorers from last campaign over the summer, Sociedad may look to Takefusa Kubo to have a productive season, especially considering his last 17 goalscoring outings have all ended in wins for his team. Meanwhile, Girona should push for captain Cristhian Stuani to make his impact felt earlier, after seven of his last eight LL goals were recorded beyond half-time.
Hot stat: Girona have beaten Sociedad only once in ten games this century (D6, L3).