After losing their opening two matches in La Liga 2026/27, Real Sociedad will be hungry for all three points at Anoeta on Saturday. Espanyol provide the opposition.

Lack of transfer activity leaves Real Sociedad short

Having secured Europa League qualification via their Copa del Rey win, the expectation was that Real Sociedad would strengthen their squad this summer. However, they are yet to complete a single new signing.

Pellegrino Matarazzo will be frustrated by that, and his options are further limited by injuries to Álvaro Odriozola, Jon Gorrotxategi and Pablo Marín. The latter’s absence suggests Take Kubo will continue on the right flank. The Japanese international registered two goals and four assists in 24 La Liga outings last term.

La Real are expected to rotate in a number of positions following the 4-1 defeat at Real Madrid in midweek. Gonçalo Guedes, Carlos Soler and Igor Zubeldia are among those ready to be recalled.

Real Sociedad predicted lineup vs Espanyol (4-3-3): Remiro; Aramburu, Zubeldia, Martín, S. Gómez; Sučić, Herrera, Soler; Kubo, Oyarzabal, Guedes.

Continuity key for Espanyol

Espanyol have had longer to prepare for this game, with their most recent match also ending in a loss to Real Madrid last Sunday. Manolo González could still field the same lineup this weekend, despite that loss.

Centre-back Leandro Cabrera is still suspended, while Kike García and Javi Puado are long-term injury absentees. The Catalan club are close to completing the signing of Bryan Zaragoza from Bayern Munich, but the winger is unlikely to go straight into the team.

Roberto Fernández will lead the line. He netted twice in a 3-0 triumph over Levante on matchday one. The striker has averaged two aerial challenges won and two shots per game so far this term.

Espanyol predicted lineup vs Real Sociedad (4-2-3-1): Dmitrović; El Hilali, Riedel, U. Núñez, Hinojo; González de Zárate, Expósito; Calatrava, J. Hernández, Dolan; Roberto.

Real Sociedad vs Espanyol Prediction

  • Safe Tip: Over 2 goals
  • Odds: 1.37 (22Bet)
  • Correct score prediction: Real Sociedad 2-2 Espanyol
  • 22Bet Booking Code: H312E

Key stats:

  • Four of the past six meetings have produced at least three goals.
  • Including friendlies, 12 of the previous 13 Real Sociedad games ended with two or more strikes.
  • Espanyol’s opening two La Liga encounters each finished with three goals.

Four of the previous five meetings in the Basque Country have ended with 2-1 or 2-2 scorelines and this match will be quite open too. Real Sociedad are an attack-minded side and they’ll be highly motivated to play on the front foot in pursuit of their first win.

Backing over 2 goals makes sense. The recent addition of Álex Calatrava has given Espanyol more creativity in the final third. Including friendlies, each of their previous 13 fixtures has delivered at least two goals.

Real Sociedad vs Espanyol Prediction, Value Tip

  • Value Tip: First Real Sociedad player to score - Mikel Oyarzabal
  • Odds: 3.1 (22Bet)
  • 22Bet Booking Code: XLE2E

Following a busy World Cup with Spain, Mikel Oyarzabal returned to the starting lineup for Real Sociedad on Wednesday. He clocked up 57 minutes and should be a bit sharper this weekend.

The forward struck five times in eight outings this summer for La Roja, and scored 15 goals in 34 league appearances for his club last season. He’s the focal point of the home attack and offers value to be the first player to score for the hosts in this match.

Verdict: Over 2 goals (1.37) — Real Sociedad 2-2 Espanyol