Real Sociedad and Valencia meet at Reale Arena, in a match for the 4th round of LaLiga. The history of head-to-head matches played at this stadium is favorable to the home team, which in the last 5 matches won 3 and lost 2. Indeed, the last time these two teams played a match at this stadium, on 22‑02‑ 2020, for LaLiga, Real Sociedad won by (3‑0). Nacho Monreal (45 ‘), A. Januzaj (48’) and Mikel Merino (12 ‘) scored the goals for Real Sociedad. Valencia present considerable differences in their results at home and as a visitor, so in this game the home factor may be decisive.
Real Sociedad :
The home team is currently in 3rd position, with 5 points won, after 1 victory and 2 draws. In the penultimate match, they drew at home against Real Madrid by (0‑0). In the last match, they won away against Elche by (0‑3). This is a team that presents similar results at home and away, so it is not usually affected by the home factor, since in the last 30 games it has recorded 6 wins, 3 draws and 6 losses as a visitor; against 8 victories, 4 draws and 3 defeats in his stadium. In the last 10 home matches for all competitions, Real Sociedad have won 3, tied 4 and lost 3. Their attack has scored regularly, scoring goals in 7 of the last 10 matches.
Real Sociedad comes to this game motivated, after a 0-3 victory on the trip to Elche, thus adding the third consecutive game without losing in La Liga: the team’s goals were scored by Adnan Januzaj, Portu and Roberto López. In this match against Valencia, coach Imanol Alguacil is expected to act 4-3-3, favoring the defensive organization and counterattacks on the flanks: Portu and Oyarzabal are very fast and strong in the counterattack. On the other hand, David Silva is the great organizer of the offensive process, owning great technical quality and vision of the game. For this game the coach cannot count on Igor Zubeldia, Zaldua, Guridi, Merquelanz, Illarramendi and Sangalli, players who are recovering from injury.
Valencia:
The visiting team is currently in 4th position, with 4 points won, after 1 victory, 1 draw and 1 defeat. In the penultimate match, they lost in an away match against Celta de Vigo by (2‑1). In the last match, they drew at home against Huesca, by (1‑1). This is a stronger team with the support of its fans, since in the last 30 games it has registered 1 victory, 4 draws and 10 losses as a visitor; against 10 wins, 3 draws and 2 losses in his stadium. In the last 10 away matches for all competitions, Valencia drew 3 and lost 7. Their defense has not been very solid, since they have conceded goals in 7 of the last 10 matches, but their attack has scored regularly, already who scored goals in 7 of the last 10 games.
The Valencia team comes to this match after a one-ball draw against Huesca, thus adding the second consecutive match without a win in this competition: Wass scored the team’s only goal. It should be noted that the visitors won only the first game against Levante. In this match at the Real Sociedad stadium, coach Javi Gracia must adopt a tactical system similar to that of the last game, that is, a 4-4-2, favoring the defensive organization and counterattacks on the flanks. The midfielder Uros Racic is the main organizer of the game, owning great quality of passing and vision of the game. Mazi Gómez is one of Valencia’s top scorers, with 2 goals scored. Gabriel Paulista, Carlos Soler and Mangala are absent from this game due to injury.
