Real Sociedad vs Valencia prediction: SPAIN: LaLiga betting tips on match 2024-05-15 20:00.
[p]Real Sociedad can all-but secure a top-seven finish and European football for a fifth consecutive season should they beat chasing Valencia on Thursday. Imanol Alguacil’s men may still have their eyes trained forward however, as just a point separates them and Real Betis inside the top-six ahead of the round, with the pair set to face off in the penultimate round of La Liga fixtures.[/p]
[p]Yet, La Real have struggled in recent H2Hs against Valencia at the Reale Arena, winning just one of six meetings on their own turf (D2, L3). Home comforts haven’t exactly helped Sociedad this season either, as they’ve earned just as many points on the road as in front of their home faithful, who’ll be desperate to see an improvement on a poor recent run of form that’s seen them win just once since March at any venue (D2, L2).[/p]
[p]Valencia are unlikely to be buoyed by that given their own recent struggles, with their European tilt derailed by a four-match winless run (D1, L3). Los Ches did at least avoid defeat in a goalless draw with Rayo Vallecano last time out, a result that moved them to within six points of Sociedad ahead of their trip to San Sebastián.[/p]
[p]Boss RubĂ©n Baraja will certainly be keen for his side to replicate the start his side made in their last away outing, as Valencia were 2-1 up at Barcelona before the break, only for a red card to eventually play its part in condemning his side to defeat. That kind of potency up front has been sorely missing throughout the campaign though, with Valencia netting just 37 times across 35 matches this term – the lowest return among top-half clubs.[/p]
[p]Players to watch: Sheraldo Becker is ending the season strongly, with the Real Sociedad forward directly contributing to three goals (G2, A1) in his last two home starts. André Almeida didn’t score at Barcelona, but got Valencia’s only goals in their two previous away games, both of which came in 1-0 wins![/p]
[p]Hot stat: Valencia have scored only one second-half goal across their last six away matches.[/p]