Espanyol 2-3 Real Sociedad – Betting Preview

 

Match Summary

 

The Basques got back to convincing winning ways but for a complacent final quarter of the game or so, in which time a previously beaten Espanol came back from 3-0 down to make the result look respectable at 3-2.

Real Sociedad moved to within three points of second-placed Real Madrid with the win, but this was before the side from the capital cruised to their midweek victory over Elche by 4 goals to zero.

Sociedad was able to hit their best form  as they  overcame relegation-threatened Espanyol 3-2 at the RCDE Stadium, with Japanese winger Take Kubo the man of the match for the away team

Espanyol was without their sharpshooter in Joselu who was a late scratch.

Despite having a big injury list, Sociedad could still select their leading marksman in Alexander Sørloth who was a constant threat.

Espanyol had the first chance but Real’s Álex Remiro saved well at his near post from a Fernando Calero header.

Mikel Oyarzabal forced Álvaro Fernández to produce a quality save at the second attempt, but soon after the Espanyol stopper was powerless to stop a blistering strike from Takefusa Kubo which flew in at the near post.

Openings came thick and fast following the opening goal as Sørloth and Brais Méndez both went close to making it 2-0. The away team should have been 0-3 ahead by the break in truth.

Espanyol head coach Diego Martínez brought on loanee Denis Suárez to bolster attacking options.

Despite this, just six minutes into the second half, it was La Real who scored next, with Oyarzabal’s brilliant square ball into the path of Sørloth to tap home his ninth La Liga goal of the season.

A third goal came soon after when a cross by Kubo saw Leandro Cabrera deflect a header into his own goal for 0-3 which was fair at the time. After this, the Basques became very complacent and switched off.

The stadium emptied but those that stayed saw Espanyol grab a goal back through Sergi Darder, who tapped home after Javi Puado’s shot deflected off the bar.

With five minutes to go, a superb run and shot from Brian Oliván gave the home side a lift and all of a sudden La Real started to worry.

A second yellow card for Cabrera in stoppage time killed feint Espanyol’s hopes, and Real Sociedad sweated a little more after that.

 

Betting Analysis

Looking at the 1×2 betting market first. Real Sociedad travel well and as outlined in the preview, was an attractive favourite @ 2.30, they duly won.

Moving onto the Asian handicap betting for this match up. Real Sociedad gives away a small -0.25 start @ 1.93. As mentioned, this was a safer option than betting the 1×2 as the cushion of the draw meant that the backer gets back half of the stake if it ended up being all square. That was not needed and it should have been much smoother, but for the Basques putting their feet up after going 0-3 up.

Looking at The Under/Over goal betting last of all which as outlined in the preview for this contest, was too low at just 2. The strong preference for over @ 1.87 paid out in full in an entertaining match.