Real Sociedad vs Espanyol — Tips & Analysis

Espanyol +0.75: Real Sociedad are in real trouble, and that is the heart of this pick. They have won just 1 of their last 13 games and sit bottom of La Liga with no points from two. They have let in 5 goals across their last two, including a 1-4 beating at Real Madrid. Sociedad let in 2 goals a game over that 13 game run, so a head start against them is worth having. Espanyol are far from perfect. They have won 3 of their last 14 and score a goal a game, and on the road they have won once in six. Their attack is picked apart too, with Puado, Zaragoza and Kike Garcia hurt and Cabrera suspended. They do arrive in better form, with three wins in their last five, and they have had 7 days to rest against Sociedad's 3. Anoeta should be tense rather than open, with a nervous home side pushing and a visiting team happy to sit in. A 1-1 is the likely finish, and that is the sort of night we want. The risk is history and desperation. Sociedad have won 12 of the last 20 meetings between these two. A crowd desperate for a first win can drag a poor side through one game. With that forward line missing, Espanyol may not have a goal in them. We still think Sociedad are too fragile to win this properly.