Real Sociedad host struggling Elche as form lines head in opposite directions
La Real riding high after Copa heroics as they welcome an Elche side desperate to end their winless away record and pull clear of the relegation scrap.
Two clubs experiencing vastly different fortunes meet at Anoeta tonight as unbeaten Real Sociedad welcome an Elche side who haven’t tasted victory in 2026.
La Real flying high
The Txuri-urdin are absolutely buzzing after their dramatic Copa del Rey comeback last Wednesday secured a semi-final spot. That cup run has been the cherry on top of what’s been a proper transformation under American gaffer Pellegrino Matarazzo, who remains undefeated since taking the reins.
The New Jersey-born coach has got his team playing some proper tidy football, but he’ll need to shuffle his pack tonight with Brais Méndez suspended. Expect Sucic to slot into the starting lineup, while Zubeldia could return in attack. The real question is whether Gorrotxategi and Marín get the nod in midfield and beyond.
The hosts’ current purple patch has been spearheaded by captain Oyarzabal and Portuguese winger Gonçalo Guedes, both hitting their stride at the perfect time as we enter the business end of the season.
Elche desperate for a turnaround
It’s been a right dog’s dinner for Elche lately. The visitors are in dire need of a result to halt their alarming slide down the table, having collected just two points from their last fifteen available. Back-to-back defeats against Levante (3-2) and Barcelona (1-3) have left them looking nervously over their shoulders with just a two-point cushion above the drop zone.
Their away form is the elephant in the room - they’re the league’s worst travelers with a measly 4 points from 30 on the road, making them the only side in La Liga without an away win this season. History doesn’t offer much comfort either, with just one victory in their last 23 visits to Real Sociedad.
Manager Eder Sarabia has been dealing with a proper injury crisis and the chaos of the January transfer window’s closing days. New signings Gonzalo Villar and Tete Morente will be on the bench, while there’s positive news with Aleix Febas returning from suspension and captain Bigas recovering from injury.
Key battle: Guedes vs Álvaro
Both forwards come into this fixture in red-hot form, each having bagged three goals in recent league outings. Their finishing could prove decisive in determining whether the points stay in San Sebastián or make the journey to Elche.
For the visitors, breaking their away duck tonight would be just what the doctor ordered - but they’re facing a La Real side that’s currently walking on sunshine.