From the Mendizorroza in Vitoria we will be served the Basque regional derby between Alaves and Real Sociedad on Thursday evening. The visitors are favorites, although the home club has absolutely no plans to roll out the red carpet.
Alaves:
Alaves started last weekend with a 2-0 defeat by then-last-minute Espanyol at the resumption of LaLiga. The men of trainer Asier Garitano did not make a good turn, although that was mainly due to a fit of bewilderment at Fernando Pacheco. After barely fifteen minutes, the goalkeeper casually caught a ball outside his own penalty area, after which he was able to leave with a red card. Second goalkeeper Roberto Jimenez distinguished himself with some nice saves, but he could not prevent a defeat with one man less.
Alaves will therefore have to make do on Thursday evening without the usually reliable Pacheco. However, the Basques can again have star player Joselu, who returns from a suspension. El Glorioso is seven points above the relegation zone and thus has the opportunity to increase her lead to ten points, as Real Mallorca already lost 1-0 at Villarreal on Tuesday evening. Alaves is originally a strong home team, although it remains to be seen to what extent the team can live up to that reputation without the support of the twelfth man.
Real Sociedad:
Real Sociedad had undoubtedly imagined more of the resumption of LaLiga last Sunday, after the Basques against Osasuna in their own Reale Arena got no further than a 1-1 draw. Fortunately in an accident, Seville, Getafe and Atletico Madrid also lost points, leaving the Spanish top six unchanged. With a provisional fourth place, La Real still has Champions League qualification in its own hands.
So these are exciting times for fans of Real Sociedad. With players like Mikel Oyarzabal, Alexander Isak and of course Martin Ødegaard, the team is bursting with talent, but is therefore sometimes erratic. Experienced midfielders Asier Illarramendi and Mikel Merino have to provide the team of trainer Imanol Alguacil with a healthy dose of character, but they are injured and suspended on Thursday evening. Real Sociedad could have used them well against the physically strong Alaves.
PREDICTION: Real Sociedad to win @ 1,97
