Leganesvs.Real Sociedad

Both teams will enter the match off the back of Copa del Rey fixtures, with Real Sociedad advancing to the third round courtesy of a 1-0 success over Conquense, while Leganes overcame Estepona on penalties after a 2-2 draw.

Match preview

Leganes were given a scare by fourth-tier outfit Estepona in the second round of the Copa del Rey on Wednesday night, with the clash finishing 2-2, and Borja Jimenez's side twice had to come from behind at Estadio Municipal Francisco Munoz Perez.

The La Liga team won 5-4 on penalties to progress, though, and they have now lost just one of their last four matches in all competitions, which proved to be a 3-0 home defeat to Real Madrid in La Liga on November 24.

Jimenez's side drew 1-1 with Alaves in the league last weekend, and they are currently 15th in the La Liga table, picking up 15 points courtesy of a record of three wins, six draws and six defeats from 15 matches.

Leganes were promoted back to La Liga for the 2024-25 campaign as Segunda Division champions, and they are aiming to make it back-to-back campaigns at this level of football for the first time since 2020.

El Lega actually beat Real Sociedad 2-1 when the two teams last locked horns in the league back in February 2020, while they have lost just one of their last four top-flight meetings with La Real.

Real Sociedad will be aiming to win an away match against Leganes in La Liga for the first time since October 2016 this weekend, but they did record a 3-2 victory in the last clash between the two sides in the Copa del Rey at the start of 2022.

Imanol Alguacil's side were also far from comfortable in the Copa del Rey on Thursday night, needing an extra-time effort from Brais Mendez to progress to the third round of the competition.

Real Soicedad are on a strong run, having beaten Ajax 2-0 in the Europa League at the end of November before recording a 2-0 victory over Real Betis in La Liga last weekend.

The White and Blues are currently ninth in the La Liga table, boasting a record of six wins, three draws and six defeats from 15 matches, and they are already eight points off the top four, albeit with a game in hand on fourth-placed Athletic Bilbao.

La Real only have the seventh-best away record in La Liga this season, picking up 11 points from seven matches, while Leganes have lost three of their seven home league games during the 2024-25 campaign.

Leganes La Liga form:

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D

Leganes form (all competitions):

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D

W

Real Sociedad La Liga form:

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L

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Real Sociedad form (all competitions):

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Team News

Leganes will again be missing Darko Brasanac and Enric Franquesa through injury on Sunday, but Dani Raba should be available despite concerns over a muscular problem.

Munir El Haddadi was on the scoresheet in the Copa del Rey during the week and is now expected to come into the XI here, but there will be widespread changes from the side that took to the field for the first whistle against Estepona.

Diego Garcia is again expected to be given the nod as the central striker, while Javi Hernandez, Oscar Rodriguez, Renato Tapia and Valentin Rosier will also be among those to return to the XI.

As for Real Sociedad, Benat Turrientes, Aritz Elustondo, Hamari Traore and Arsen Zakharyan are on the sidelines through injury, while Orri Oskarsson faces a late fitness test on a muscular issue.

Luka Sucic was involved in the Copa del Rey on Thursday night after missing the Real Betis game through injury, though, and the 22-year-old will therefore be available to start here.

Head coach Alguacil will make wholesale changes to the side that started in the cup, with Martin Zubimendi and Mikel Oyarzabal among those set to return to the side for the league clash with Leganes.

Leganes possible starting lineup:

Dmitrovic; Rosier, Gonzalez, Nastasic, J Hernandez; Tapia, Neyou; El Haddadi, Rodriguez, Cruz; D Garcia

Real Sociedad possible starting lineup:

Remiro; Aramburu, Zubleida, Aguerd, Munoz; Mendez, Zubimendi, Sucic; Kubo, Oyarzabal, Barrenetxea

We say: Leganes 1-2 Real Sociedad

Leganes have only lost three of their seven home league matches this season, conceding just seven times, so they will be confident of picking up a positive result here; Real Sociedad are just starting to build some momentum, though, and we are expecting the visitors to navigate their way to all three points on Sunday.

Written by

Matt Law

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