MX23RW : Thursday, March 28 14:24:26| >> :600:407472:407472:
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Alaves logo
La Liga | Gameweek 12
Dec 6, 2020 at 8pm UK
Mendizorroza, Vitoria, Basque Country
Real Sociedad logo

Alaves
0 - 0
Real Sociedad


Lejeune (42')
Battaglia (61')
FT

Preview: Alaves vs. Real Sociedad - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Sunday's La Liga clash between Alaves and Real Sociedad, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Real Sociedad will be looking to return to winning ways in Spain's top flight when the division leaders travel to Alaves on Sunday evening.

Imanol Alguacil's team are currently one point clear of second-placed Atletico Madrid at the top of the table, while Alaves occupy 13th position and are on a five-game unbeaten run in the league.


Match preview

Joselu celebrates scoring for Deportivo Alaves against Real Madrid in La Liga on November 28, 2020© Reuters

Alaves will be the underdogs heading into Sunday's contest, but the Basque outfit will be full of confidence following a 2-1 victory away to Real Madrid last weekend.

Lucas Perez and Joselu scored the goals against Los Blancos, and Pablo Machin's side will now be looking to claim another huge scalp against the current league leaders.

Alaves finished 16th in Spain's top flight last season, and there were signs in the early stages of 2020-21 that it could be a long and difficult campaign for the club.

Machin's team have been impressive since losing to Elche on October 18, though, picking up two victories and three draws from their last five matches, including a draw with Barcelona and a win over Real Madrid.

Real Sociedad head coach Imanol Alguacil pictured on November 5, 2020© Reuters

Sociedad, meanwhile, lead the way in Spain's top flight, having won seven, drawn three and lost one of their 11 matches this season to collect 24 points.

The Basque side are currently one point clear of second-placed Atletico Madrid at the summit, although Diego Simeone's side have two games in hand on the division leaders, meaning that the visitors will be determined to return to winning ways in the league.

Sociedad had won six straight league matches before sharing the points with Villarreal last weekend, while they will enter Sunday's contest off the back of a 2-2 draw with Rijeka in the Europa League on Thursday.

Alguacil's team are currently second in Group F but their spot in the knockout round of the European competition is in doubt ahead of next week's incredibly tough trip to Napoli.

The White and Blues will certainly have one eye on their final group game in Naples, but a poor result against Alaves could leave them second and trailing a very impressive Atletico side.

Alaves La Liga form: LWDDDW

Real Sociedad La Liga form: WWWWWD
Real Sociedad form (all competitions): WWWDDD


Team News

Real Sociedad midfielder David Silva in action against Real Madrid in La Liga on September 20, 2020© Reuters

Alaves have no fresh injury concerns from the win over Real Madrid, and it would not be a surprise to see Machin select the same XI for this weekend's contest.

Joselu and Perez, as mentioned, scored the goals against Zinedine Zidane's side, and the pair should continue in the final third with support from Jota Peleteiro and Luis Rioja in the wide areas.

Edgar Mendez and Deyverson are options for change, but the home side will again be without the services of Pere Mons and Manu Garcia on Sunday night.

Sociedad, meanwhile, will be without Luca Sangalli through injury, while Asier Illarramendi and Aritz Elustondo are unlikely to be involved.

Head coach Alguacil is expected to make changes from the side that started Thursday's Europa League contest, with Willian Jose, Portu and Andoni Gorosabel in line to start.

Mikel Oyarzabal will feature in an attacking position, while David Silva should be in the side, having made his recovery from injury against Rijeka after missing out against Villarreal.

Alaves possible starting lineup:
Pacheco; Navarro, Lejeune, Laguardia, Duarte; Jota, Pina, Battaglia, Rioja; Joselu, Perez

Real Sociedad possible starting lineup:
Remiro; Gorosabel, Zubeldia, Le Normand, Munoz; D Silva, Guevara, Merino; Portu, Willian Jose, Oyarzabal


SM words green background

We say: Alaves 1-2 Real Sociedad

Sociedad have now drawn their last three matches in all competitions and will be coming up against an Alaves side in good form. It would not be a surprise to see the two teams play out a draw on Sunday night, but we just fancy the visitors to edge a close game.


Top betting tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting a double chance bet on a home win or an away win in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Home/Away:data


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Data Analysis

Our analysis of all available data, including recent performances and player stats up until an hour before kickoff, suggested the most likely outcome of this match was a Real Sociedad win with a probability of 64.13%. A draw had a probability of 22.5% and a win for Alaves had a probability of 13.38%.

The most likely scoreline for a Real Sociedad win was 0-1 with a probability of 15.55%. The next most likely scorelines for that outcome were 0-2 (13.78%) and 1-2 (9.11%). The likeliest drawn scoreline was 1-1 (10.28%), while for an Alaves win it was 1-0 (5.8%). The actual scoreline of 0-0 was predicted with an 8.8% likelihood.


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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Real Madrid29226164204472
2Barcelona29197360342664
3GironaGirona29195559342562
4Athletic Bilbao29168550262456
5Atletico MadridAtletico29174854342055
6Real Sociedad291210742311146
7Real BetisBetis29101273433142
8Valencia28117103232040
9Villarreal29108114751-438
10Getafe2991193742-538
11Las PalmasLas Palmas29107122932-337
12Osasuna29106133343-1036
13AlavesAlaves2988132635-932
14Mallorca29612112535-1030
15Rayo Vallecano29611122538-1329
16Sevilla29610133644-828
17Celta Vigo2969143244-1227
18CadizCadiz29313132040-2022
19Granada2828183058-2814
20Almeria29110182857-2913


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