The closing games of the Spanish La Liga ninth round are set for Monday, October 23rd, 2017, when Real Sociedad hosts Espanyol at Anoeta, while Deportivo La Coruna welcomes Girona at Riazor. We expect to see two exciting games, and in this preview, we’ll take a closer look at these four teams, so we can give you the best tips and betting predictions like always, here on GetMoreSports.
REAL SOCIEDAD vs. ESPANYOL
3-Way: 1: Real Sociedad -108; X: +288 Draw; 2: Espanyol +370
Spread -0.5: Real Sociedad -118; Espanyol +110
Total +2.5: Over -120; Under +118
REAL SOCIEDAD
After three consecutive defeats, and a 4:4 draw with Betis at home, Real Sociedad finally got the win over Alaves on the road, 2:0, in the eighth round of the Spanish La Liga. They had a great game and took all three points with a couple of goals late in the match. Ultimately, they kept the clean sheet after some poor defensive jobs, as they conceded 16 goals in the previous five games. On last Thursday they prolong this trend hammering the Macedonian side Vardar, 6:0, in the third round of the UEFA Europa League.
Real Sociedad is now in the seventh spot of the La Liga table with 13 points, a 19:17 goal difference and a form of WDLLL. They’ve created 82 scoring chances, finding the net 19 times, while nine goals came after set pieces. With 86% of average pass accuracy Real Sociedad is the third best team in the league, just behind Barca and Real Madrid, and they are certainly proud of this record. However, their defensive work has to be better, as they recorded just 32 defensive actions per game (17th in the league). The talented 20-year old winger Mikel Oyarzabal is leading his team with four goals in five La Liga appearances, while forwards Juanmi and Willian Jose both added three in eight apps.
The manager Eusebio still have some injury worries, as defenders, Carlos Martinez (ruptured cruciate ligament) and Inigo Martinez (muscular problems) are both sidelined for the next game, while the midfielder David Zurutuza is doubtful due to a hamstring injury.
ESPANYOL
In the previous round of the Spanish La Liga Espanyol missed too many chances against Levante at home to get just a point with a goalless draw. They took 20 shots on goal, six of them on target, but in the end, Levante’s keeper was the hero of the day. Espanyol is now at the 13th spot of the table with nine points, a 7:11 goal difference and a form of DLWDW. Their form is pretty unpredictable, and they are playing poorly on the road with two points out of four games, and a 1:8 goal difference.
The 25-year old forward Gerard Moreno is a leading scorer with three goals in eight appearances, the striker Leo Baptistao added two, while the winger Pablo Piatti has one goal on his account. Leo Baptistao is the best assistant with two dishes so far. Obviously, they need more help from the other players, as the better finishing is an imperative for Espanyol’s forwards.
The team created 62 scoring chances with 76% of average pass accuracy. Defensively, they are doing a solid job with 39 defensive actions per game, winning 38% of tackles and 48% of aerial duels. They need to continue with good defense, especially when they are missing so many opportunities in the final third.
The manager Quique Flores isn’t satisfied with the overall performance, and the fans want more from his team. For the next game, he can count on all key players, as the right-back Javi Lopez and the midfielder Victor Sanchez are only two players doubtful due to injuries.
REAL SOCIEDAD vs. ESPANYOL – Match Prediction
Real Sociedad is a favorite in this one, but I expect to see a better attacking work from Espanyol. The home team kept the clean sheet for two games in the row, and it could be a clash where both teams will find the net.
MY PICK: Both Teams to Score YES (-130)
DEPORTIVO LA CORUNA vs. GIRONA
3-Way: 1: Deportivo La Coruna +114; X: +259 Draw; 2: Girona +309
Spread -0.5: Deportivo La Coruna +106; Girona -114
Total +2.5: Over +108; Under -116
DEPORTIVO LA CORUNA
Depor won two games in a row at home, and in the ninth round of the Spanish La Liga, they will look for the third consecutive victory in front of the home fans. In the previous round, Deportivo La Coruna grabbed a point on the road against Eibar, keeping their net intact, but they were pretty harmless in the front. It was a poor game where both teams struggled to make a decent scoring chance.
After eight rounds of the Spanish La Liga Depor is laying at the 15th spot of the table with eight points, a 9:16 goal difference and a form of DWLWL. The Romanian striker Florin Andone and the winger Federico Cartabia are leading scorers with two goals each. Andone is also a top assistant with two dishes so far. Defensively, they need to improve if they want to make some progress, as their defense is one of the most fragile in the Spanish La Liga. Although they kept the clean sheet against Eibar, The Gunsmiths are one of the most inefficient teams.
The manager Pepe Mel is having some problems to field the best eleven, as the midfielder Pedro Mosquera and the winger Carles Gil are still unavailable due to injuries. The keeper Ruben Martinez is doubtful for the next game with a finger injury.
GIRONA
Girona is in a poor form with just two points earned in the last five games of the Spanish La Liga. They are sitting at the 17th spot of the La Liga table with six points, and a 7:13 goal difference. With just one victory so far Girona is among the worst teams in the league, and they will certainly fight against the relegation this season.
In the previous round Girona lost at home to Villarreal, 2:1, even they had some chances to level the match. Bakambu’s two quick goals were too much for Girona players, as Cristhian Stuani scored the only goal for the home team in the 40th minute. The Uruguayan striker, who arrived from Middlesbrough this summer, is Girona’s best player so far with four goals in seven appearances. He will need more support from his teammates, especially from another forward Olarenwaju Kayode who’s still goalless, if they want to get some wins soon.
The manager Pablo Machin will have to shake things a little bit, and build up the self-confidence among the squad as soon as possible. He has some problems with injured players at the defensive line, as Marc Muniesa (muscular problems), and Pedro Alcala (malleolar injury) are both unavailable for the next match against Depor.
DEPORTIVO LA CORUNA vs. GIRONA – Match Prediction
It’s hard to predict who’s going to win this match, as both teams are playing poorly, while Depor has two wins in a row at home. They are favorites for reason, but I won’t be surprised if I see visitors taking something from this game. However, I don’t expect to see a bunch of goals, even Depor’s defense is weaker side of the team, so I’ll go with the under here.
MY PICK: Under 2.5 goals (-116)
