Valencia vs Real Sociedad prediction: SPAIN: LaLiga betting tips on match 2023-09-26 19:30.
Valenciaâs first draw of this La Liga (LL) season must have been particularly frustrating for manager RubĂ©n Baraja as they conceded two second-half equalisers, particularly after their near-relegation difficulties last campaign were hampered by one of the leagueâs worst records after scoring the opening goal (W10, D4, L3). But following three wins from their first five games of the season, it was a mistake they could afford to make on this occasion.
Baraja therefore opted for a positive outlook when asserting that âscoring in the first division is very difficultâ, while pointing to Valenciaâs excellent defensive record over the last season and a bit as evidence that more multiple-goal hauls will serve them well. That was perhaps no more evident than in their previous home fixture, when producing a near-perfect performance to defeat AtlĂ©tico Madrid for the first time in 18 attempts (3-0).
For all their struggles last season, Valencia picked up four LL wins âto nilâ against the top seven clubs in the standings, including against upcoming opponents Real Sociedad (1-0). That scoreline looks to be one of the least likely on the horizon after La Realâs last three LL games saw the net breached a total of 18 times, including 11 after the break.
There was nothing particularly shocking about the assessment of their 4-3 win at home to Getafe from their manager Imanol Alguacil when he declared âwe must stop conceding so muchâ if they are to fulfil their ambitions at home and abroad. Having lost only to Real Madrid in any competition this season (W2, D4), the Basque outfit should be confident of picking up at least one point at Mestalla.
Players to watch: He needs time to work his way into the match, but Javi Guerra has made it worth the wait with second-half strikes in three LL games this season. Thatâs in stark contrast with Real Sociedadâs Takefusa Kubo, who has four first-half goals to his name in 2023/24, including three in the opening ten minutes.
Hot stat: The pre-match favourite won just one of Valenciaâs last 13 LL matches (D4, L8).