Our prediction for this Primera Division match:
Real Sociedad
Match Time & Date:
09/02/2025
18:30
Prediction: 2-1
Espanyol
Real Sociedad and Espanyol square off against each other at Reale Arena in what is expected to be one of the most exciting games of Sunday’s program. La Real aim to make amends for a 2-1 loss to Osasuna and you should know that they are after their fifth home win of the process. Even though there are no fresh injury worries in the home team, head coach Imanol Alguacil should recall important midfielder Brais Mendez to the starting XI, with Iceland international Orri Oskarsson pushing for a start as well.
Los Periquitos, on the other hand, did well to upset league leaders Real Madrid at the weekend, with left-back Carlos Romero scoring the winner on the break. Espanyol, though, are not considered good travellers, which is probably the main reason why we are going to place our bets on the Basque outfit. Both Jose Gragera and Salvi Sanchez are injured for the visiting team, while Brian Olivan is a major doubt.
Highlighted Player (Mikel Oyarzabal):
Intelligence is not an attribute you will find in Mikel Oyarzabal’s stats with Real Sociedad but this tricky winger is a highly knowledgeable winger who will use both brain and feet while playing. For a player born in Eibar, who made his first steps in his hometown club, it was always going to be a choice between Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad for Oyarzabal.
La Real saw their chance and grabbed this gem of a player at a young age, helping him develop into a proper professional throughout their youth ranks. Mikel Oyarzabal has spent the entirety of his senior career with the Basque behemoths where he’d use his ability to fill in a number of positions up top much to his own benefit.
Oyarzabal’s positioning and movement are work of a tactical genius, whereas it is his nous to find details to exploit that best define him as a player. Having come through the youth categories of the Spanish national team, Oyarzabal also has a senior cap next to his name. It was in 2016 that he also represented the Basque region, scoring on his debut to cap a 3-1 win over Tunisia.
Highlighted Team (Espanyol):
Espanyol are a Catalan club that plays in Spanish La Liga. Espanyol were founded in 1900 and their original name was Sociedad Espanola de Football. In 1901 the Catalan club changed its name to Club Espanol de Futbol. Los Periquitos used to play in bright yellow shirts in the past, but current colour of the team’s home kit is blue and white.
Espanyol’s fiercest rivals are Barcelona and the two teams face each other in the Catalan derby (Derbi barceloni). Espanyol have always been in Barca’s shadow, but it has to be noted that los Periquitos have won four Copa del Rey (Spanish Cup trophies).
The likes of Raul Tamudo, Jose Maria, Antonio Argiles and Mauricio Pochettino are players with most appearances for the Catalan outfit. Espanyol play their home games at Estadio Cornella-El Prat and the capacity of the stadium is 40,500. Los Periquitos have never participated in the Champions League.
Leganes
Real Madrid 
Milan 
AS Roma 
Newcastle 
Arsenal 
Osasuna 
Liverpool
Tottenham
Valencia 
Barcelona
