Valencia vs Real Sociedad

Relegation-fighting Valencia will be looking to return to winning ways when they welcome La Liga top-four hopefuls Real Sociedad to the Estadio de Mestalla this weekend.

Valencia icon Ruben Baraja got his managerial tenure at his beloved club off to a woeful start, falling to a disheartening 1-0 defeat at fellow relegation rivals Getafe last time out. As the only side yet to win a match in La Liga in 2023 (D1, L6), ‘Los Murcielagos’ are in danger of relinquishing their 36-year top-flight status, though only two points separate them from safety at the start of this round. Worryingly for Baraja, his men have failed to find the net in four of their last five league matches (L5), giving the new manager nothing to cling to ahead of his touchline debut at home. But there’s a glimmer of hope, with Valencia going unbeaten in ten of their last 11 meetings with Sociedad in La Liga (W4, D6).

On the other hand, Real Sociedad conceded a second-half stoppage-time equalizer in a demoralizing 1-1 home draw against Celta Vigo last weekend, making it one win in four league matches (D2, L1). Despite experiencing a rough patch of late, Imanol Alguacil’s men commence this round six points clear of fifth-placed Real Betis. Since being held to a 1-1 draw to Valencia in the reverse fixture in November, the visitors have only lost once in their last nine league outings (W6, D2), netting multiple goals in each win. Adding to their confidence, the Basque heavyweights head into proceedings unbeaten on five straight La Liga travels (W4, D1), with the only draw in this sequence coming at reigning champions Real Madrid.