La Liga | Gameweek 15

Dec 1, 2024 at 8pm UK

Reale Arena

Real Sociedad vs Real Betis

Match preview

Real Sociedad haven't been playing as well as they could in La Liga this season. They've won five games, drawn three and lost six, which means they've got 18 points from 14 games. That puts them in 10th place in the table.

Imanol Alguacil's side were beaten 1-0 by Athletic Bilbao in the Basque derby last weekend, but they've been on a roll lately, winning three of their last four matches in all competitions. They even beat Ajax 2-0 in the Europa League on Thursday night.

Ander Barrenetxea and Takefusa Kubo scored the goals as Real Sociedad picked up a big European win. This puts them in 16th place in the Europa League table, three points off the automatic qualification spots.

La Real have been struggling to score goals this season, with only 11 goals from their 14 league matches. However, they have been solid at the back, conceding just 11 goals, which is the joint second-best defensive record alongside Real Madrid.

The Alguacil's have had a tough season at home, picking up just seven points from seven home league fixtures. They've only been victorious in one of their seven La Liga games on their travels this term.

Real Betis will be looking to improve on their 2-1 defeat to Mlada Boleslav in the Conference League, which leaves them in 22nd place in the overall table with just one win in the competition this term.

The Green and Whites also lost 4-2 at Valencia in La Liga last weekend. They're on a three-game winless run in Spain's top flight, with their last success coming at home to Atlético Madrid at the end of October.

Manuel Pellegrini's side are ninth in the La Liga table with five wins, five draws and four defeats. They've scored and conceded 16 times in their 14 league fixtures.

Real Betis are just three points behind fifth-placed Athletic Bilbao, so the standings could change quickly. The Seville club is aiming to be in the running for European spots by the end of the season.

The Green and Whites haven't won any of their last three league matches, but the corresponding fixture during the 2023-24 La Liga campaign ended in a goalless draw.

Recent Performance

Real Sociedad La Liga form:DWLWWL

Real Sociedad form (all competitions):WLWWLW

Real Betis La Liga form:LWWDDL

Real Betis form (all competitions):WDWDLL

Team News

Real Sociedad will be without three first-team players this weekend due to injury. Aritz Elustondo, Hamari Traore and Orri Oskarsson will not be available for selection.

Barrenetxea came off the bench to score against Ajax in the Europa League on Thursday night, and it looks like he'll be in the starting XI on Sunday.

Javi López is also likely to return at left-back for the home team, but Mikel Oyarzabal and Kubo should both keep their spots in the final third of the field, with Sheraldo Becker potentially starting on the bench.

Real Betis will be without Abde Ezzalzouli, Nobel Mendy, Hector Bellerin, Marc Roca, William Carvalho and Johnny Cardoso due to injury problems.

Giovani Lo Celso, the team's top goalscorer in the league this season with five, was sent off in the Conference League on Thursday, but the Argentine will be available this weekend and is likely to start again.

There'll be a few changes to the side that started the first game in Europe, with Rui Silva, Marc Bartra, Youssouf Sabaly and Romain Perraud all set to return to the starting XI this weekend.

Possible starting lineup

Real Sociedad possible starting lineup:

Remiro; Aramburu, Zubeldia, Aguerd, J Lopez; Kubo, Gomez, Zubimendi, Sucic, Barrenetxea; Oyarzabal

Real Betis possible starting lineup:

Silva; Sabaly, Bartra, Natan, Perraud; Altimira, Guirao; Ruibal, Lo Celso, Avila; Roque