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Real Sociedad vs Espanyol Prediction & Betting tips
For many teams, the national cup competitions offer a successful change from everyday life. Other clubs, however, see the appearances in the cup as an unnecessary obligation. The trick is to analyze before a knockout game for whom the trophy is more relevant and who is probably more interested in moving on to the next round.
In the round of 32 in the Spanish Copa del Rey, we are looking forward to the Real Sociedad vs Espanyol Barcelona encounter. Based on the odds of the bookmakers, it is already clear that the home owners are considered to have better chances of progressing. No wonder, because the Basques are currently clearly better placed than the Catalans in the country’s top division.
So far, the kickers from San Sebastian have been playing a very decent season in sixth and aim to return to the international stage. For Espanyol, however, it is all about relegation. As the bottom of the league, the team from the Mediterranean metropolis already lacks four points on the saving bank.
This is one of the reasons why we are convinced that the priority for the “Pericos” will clearly be on the relegation battle. In the upcoming, important phase of the season, intensive cup games cost only unnecessarily strength, possibly the guests’ approach. Accordingly, before the Real Sociedad duel against Espanyol Barcelona, we dare to predict that the home side will assert themselves confidently with at least two goals difference.
Real Sociedad:
The Copa del Rey has not been Real Sociedad’s favorite competition in recent years. The Basques most recently reached the semi-finals in 2013/2014. It was also the first participation in the preliminary round since the early 1980s. Last year, however, was already in the round of 16 final.
The desire in San Sebastian to finally start a deep run in the national cup is all the greater. The results so far from rounds one and two are not bad to read. Even though two lower-class opponents were waiting with CD Becerill (fourth league) and AD Ceuta (third league), the blue-whites did not show any nakedness and won 8: 0 and 4: 0.
The toughest task so far awaits on Wednesday, even if the odds of the betting providers between Real Sociedad and Espanyol Barcelona point to a sovereign success of the team of coach Imanol Alguacil. This favorite role is due in particular to the strong La Liga season to date.
“La Real” is in strong sixth place in the table and theoretically has all possibilities to make the leap into the premier class with only four points behind third. At the weekend, the Basques still had a bad damper, because the away game at Betis Sevilla was lost with 0: 3. It was only for the third time this season that the “Erreala” did not score.
Otherwise, the offensive is the absolute showpiece of the European Cup contender. The 33 goals scored are currently topped only by Real Madrid and FC Barcelona. Because the Basques also score exactly two goals on average per game at home and all four home wins came in the current season with at least two goals difference, Real Sociedad vs. Espanyol Barcelona the tip on a handicap success of the hosts (-1.5) is obvious.
Aritz Elustondo, Nacho Monreal, Asier Illaramendi and David Zurutuza are injured. Changes in comparison to the 0: 3 mentioned at Betis are without alternative. However, Coach Alguacil will not force a larger rotation for conservation purposes, the Copa del Rey is too important for the 48-year-old trainer, who has been in office since December 2018.
Espanyol Barcelona:
It almost seems as if Espanyol Barcelona’s performance has changed with the year. In the new competitive year 2020, the “Pericos” have so far been convincing.
First the Catalans fought for a point in the city derby against the big FC Barcelona (2-2). Then the red-white-blue prevailed in the Copa del Rey with subordinate team SS Reyes and finally Espanyol also celebrated the third away win of the La Liga season at the weekend, which gave the hope of relegation a new nourishment.
Nevertheless, it can be stated that the team of Coach Abelardo, who has been responsible since the end of December and has been instrumental in the recent successes, is still facing a mammoth task in the relegation battle.
The Catalans continue to adorn the bottom of the table of the best Spanish football league and are already four points behind the saving bank. To make matters worse, the taillight not only marked the fewest hits of all 20 first division clubs (16), but also conceded the most goals conceded (37).
Although the shape curve under the new coach is pointing upwards, we are skeptical whether a forecast on the outsider will pay off on Wednesday between Real Sociedad and Espanyol Barcelona. In particular, the fact that the “Blanquiazules” are in such great relegation difficulties leads us to believe that the league has top priority and the trophy runs alongside.
At least in terms of personnel, Abelardo can draw on almost his entire squad. However, it can be doubted whether all regular players and top performers will be used. Even though the coach emphasizes that the trophy should be used to build confidence, he will definitely have the important home game against Bilbao in mind at the weekend.
Real Sociedad vs Espanyol head to head matches
22.09.19 LL Espanyol Real Sociedad 1 : 3
18.05.19 LL Espanyol Real Sociedad 2 : 0
14.01.19 LL Real Sociedad Espanyol 3 : 2
11.03.18 LL Espanyol Real Sociedad 2 : 1
23.10.17 LL Real Sociedad Espanyol 1 : 1