Real Sociedad vs Valladolid prediction: SPAIN: LaLiga betting tips on match 2023-02-04 17:30.
Any remaining doubts about Real Sociedad’s defensive credentials were silenced along with more than 50,000 Madridistas at the Santiago Bernabeu when they became the first club to keep Real Madrid scoreless across 30 competitive games this season (0-0). So far, they’re great value for their largest points haul and highest position after 19 rounds since the 2002/03 La Liga (LL) season when they finished just two points behind eventual champions Real Madrid.
Sociedad manager Imanol Alguacil left the BernabĂ©u “happy and proud” after the draw that, in his eyes, “almost tastes like a victory”, but he will be wise not to get carried away when he remembers his side’s underwhelming recent history against upcoming opponent Real Valladolid. Sociedad have failed to win six of their eight most recent H2Hs across all tournaments (D4, L2) despite starting as favourites seven times – and that includes a W2, D3, L1 record under Alguacil.
Valladolid were just seconds away from failing to score for a sixth straight LL game, and becoming the first club of the LL season to gift struggling Valencia an away clean sheet, before recent Canadian recruit Cyle Larin came off the bench with 15 minutes to go to deliver their first LL victory since the World Cup.
Manager Pacheta was thankful for a “demanding” home crowd for having “pushed” his side to end their drought. But without their support on the road, there’s been very little quality demonstrated away from home this LL season (W1, D1, L7), particularly when visiting top-half opposition against whom Pacheta’s side have not registered a single goal from five attempts (L5).
Players to watch: He drew blanks against Barcelona and Real Madrid, but it’ll be of great benefit for Sociedad if Alexander Sørloth fires against Valladolid; they have won all ten competitive games during 2022/23 in which he has scored. Valladolid have not seen a goal from Sergio León since Christmas, but as the only goalscorer the last time these teams met, perhaps he’ll feel inspired.
Hot stat: All but two of Sociedad’s last 14 competitive games against top-flight clubs produced fewer than 2.5 total goals.