Valencia vs Real Sociedad prediction: SPAIN: LaLiga betting tips on match 2025-01-18 20:00.
[p]The Valencia faithful must be holding their collective breath right now with their side sitting dead last in La Liga after picking up just one win from their last 13 league outings (D6, L6). Despite a disastrous league campaign so far, they’ve at least found some respite in their Copa del Rey form with wins over minnows Eldense and Ourense sandwiching a draw away at Sevilla in their last La Liga outing to see them arrive here with a three-game unbeaten run.  [/p]
[p]They need points fast though, as only eight times in 57 instances have a club with 13 or fewer points to their name at this stage gone on to survive in the Spanish top-flight. Perhaps the addition of loanee Max Aarons until the end of the season may bolster their chances, but whether that’s enough to begin to overturn the worst home record in the league this campaign (W2, D3, L4) remains to be seen. [/p]
[p]It’s a brighter picture for visitors Real Sociedad, who are starting to recover from a torrid start to the season which saw them win just two of their opening nine league games. Their 3-1 Copa del Rey win over Rayo Vallecano last time out extended their winning streak to three straight games, with Sociedad now just two points off the La Liga top six coming into the weekend. [/p]
[p]The transfer market is not bringing good news it seems, with Euro 2024 star Martin Zubimendi reportedly set to leave. But Sociedad boss Imanol Alguacil, who said his “team dominated from start to finish’’ in their latest victory, will be concentrating on extending his side’s four-game unbeaten league streak at home (W3, D1) which is their best such run since going four unbeaten in January 2024. [/p]
[p]Players to watch: Valencia hitman Hugo Duro has four goal contributions from his last four home appearances for Valencia (G3, A1). Real Sociedad’s Mikel Oyarzabal has scored four goals in nine games at the Mestalla, and at no other stadium has he scored more goals in La Liga as a visiting player![/p]
[p]Hot stat: No side has conceded more 90th+ minute La Liga goals (five) than Valencia this season coming into the matchday![/p]
[p][i]Written by Luke Bridle[/i][/p]