🔈 Can the "Bats" live up to expectations right from the opening matchday? Carlos Corberán has not only impressed Valencia's fans with his team's play but has also instilled belief in his players. This newfound confidence even had the "Oranges" eyeing a spot in European competitions at one point. Meanwhile, Real Sociedad completely flopped last season, leading to changes in their coaching staff. Let's take a look at the pre-match odds: a home win is at 2.6, while a victory for the visitors stands at 3.15.

Head-to-Head

📊 Let's dive into the head-to-head stats from the last 10 encounters: Valencia have secured 3 wins, there have been 4 draws, and Real Sociedad have claimed victory 3 times. Last season, both teams won their respective home fixtures. Notably, the Bats have lost only once in their last 8 meetings with the Royals at Mestalla.

Valencia Team Overview

🟠 Last season, Valencia finished in 12th place, a position that seemed unattainable during the first half of the campaign. Carlos Corberan not only implemented a tactical style that the players could grasp, but also instilled a belief in their own abilities. The classic 4-4-2 formation highlighted the strengths of the forwards and eased the burden on the defensive line. Now, with a full season ahead, the Spanish manager is expected to deliver progress in results and contend for a spot in the top half of the table.

⚫ It's crucial to highlight the transfers Valencia managed before the season kicked off: Dani Raba (from Leganes), Julen Agirrezabala (from Athletic), Jose Copete (from Mallorca), Baptiste Santamaria (from Rennes), Filip Ugrinic (from Young Boys), and Arnaut Danjuma (from Villarreal). Each of these players fits Corberan's tactical vision and can add depth to the squad.

Real Sociedad Team Overview

🔵 Last season, the Royals significantly underperformed, finishing in a disappointing 11th place. This setback left Imanol Alguacil with no chance of retaining his position at the helm. Now, Real Sociedad are guided by Sergio Francisco, who previously managed the club's reserve team in San Sebastián. The team's rather restrained transfer activity has raised questions among fans about their prospects for the upcoming campaign.

⚪ Among Real Sociedad's key signings are Gonçalo Guedes from Wolverhampton, Duje Ćaleta-Car from Lyon, and Kazunari Kito from Kyoto. The most significant departure, which remains unaddressed, is the sale of Martín Zubimendi. The Spanish defensive midfielder was rightly regarded as one of the best in his position during recent La Liga seasons.

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Valencia

🛑 The most significant departure for Valencia has been Cristian Mosquera's move to Arsenal. Despite his young age, the Spanish center-back has played 73 matches in La Liga over the past two seasons, becoming a key figure in the club's defensive line. Additionally, Jarek Gazirowski has left the "Bats." Although he rarely started last season, he was no less a talented defender.

🎤 Following their 3-0 victory over Torino in the final preseason friendly, Luis Rioja spoke to the media: "The team showed what we're capable of. We fought from the first minute, and it paid off. We know the second half of last season was very successful, and we aim to follow that path and achieve what we set out from the beginning of this campaign. The team is well-prepared, and it was evident on the pitch today that our preseason has been successful, and the team has the desire and drive. We hope this will be evident next Saturday as well."

❌ Among the unavailable players for the "Oranges" are Thierry Correia (knee injury) and Alberto Mari (muscle injury).

Real Sociedad

🎤 Gonzalo Guedes, one of the new signings for San Sebastián, shared his expectations for the upcoming season: “I received a very warm welcome, and so far, I'm pleased with everything. I'm joining a team that plays attacking, ambitious football — this aligns perfectly with my vision of the game, as I aim to reach the highest possible level. I never fully adapted in England, and now I hope to return to my best form as soon as possible. I've already spoken with the coach; I understand what he expects from me, and I'm ready to give my all — both on and off the pitch.”

❌ The club's only player in the treatment room is Jon Gorrotxategi (ankle injury). The 23-year-old had an impressive last season in the Segunda, playing for Mirandés. 

🟨 Yellow Card Prediction

🟨 Yellow Card Prediction

The head-to-head encounters between these teams are traditionally marked by a high number of cautions, averaging around 5.9 per match. Given the physical style of play from both sides, our editorial team anticipates a similar scenario. We suggest the following betting option – total yellow cards over 4.

⚽ Goals Prediction

The average goal tally in these head-to-head matchups stands at 2.3 per game. In 7 out of the last 8 meetings, there have been no more than 2 goals scored. Our editorial team expects a restrained approach from both sides, with few scoring opportunities, which is typical of their encounters. We recommend the following bet – total under 2.5 goals.

🚩 Corner Prediction

Last season, Real Sociedad showed a positive trend in corner kicks, earning 5.7 while conceding 4.7 on average. The "Bats" were slightly weaker in this area, with 4.9 for and 5 against. We suggest considering the following betting option – Real Sociedad to win on corners with a (+1) handicap.

At this point, Valencia appear to be the more balanced and prepared team. Carlos Corberan is well-acquainted with the players at his disposal, and the targeted reinforcements the "Bats" have made should only enhance their stability. On the other hand, Real Sociedad's loss of Martín Zubimendi could be the catalyst for a prolonged crisis and potential restructuring. Our editorial team predicts a final score of 1-0 in favor of Valencia, with the key bet being Valencia to win with a (0) handicap.