The hosts' defence is under threat again: Elche vs Real Sociedad prediction
The fourth-round La Liga match between Elche and Real Sociedad will take place on 7 September at the Manuel Martínez Valero Stadium. The hosts have collected just one point from three matches, while the Basques have four points after four games.
Elche: nine goals conceded in three rounds
Martín Anselmi's side began the season with a 1-1 draw against Deportivo before suffering a 5-0 home defeat to Barcelona. In the previous round, Elche lost 3-2 to Racing, conceding three goals by the 36th minute.
The team's main problem is obvious — the defence. Elche have allowed their opponents to score nine times in three matches, and after last season's battle against relegation, such a start could quickly develop into a serious crisis.
Real Sociedad: gradually recovering after a poor start
Pellegrino Matarazzo's side began the campaign with defeats to Betis, 1-0, and Real Madrid, 4-1. The Basques then beat Espanyol 2-1 and drew 0-0 with Celta Vigo, collecting four points from their last two rounds.
Sociedad have looked more vulnerable away from home so far, but their head-to-head record against Elche is extremely strong. The Basques have won eight of the last 10 meetings between the sides and lost only once.
Match facts and head-to-head record
- Elche have conceded nine goals in their opening three rounds.
- Over 2.5 goals has landed in five of Elche's last six matches.
- Real Sociedad have won four of the last five head-to-head meetings.
- Over 2.5 goals has landed in seven of Real Sociedad's previous nine matches.
- Elche have won only one of their last 10 matches against Sociedad.
The visitors' quality should make the difference: Elche vs Real Sociedad prediction
Elche are making too many defensive mistakes at the moment, and nine goals conceded in three rounds point to a systemic problem. Even an inconsistent Sociedad side should be capable of exploiting that amount of space.
The Basques are gradually finding their form and hold a clear advantage in the head-to-head record. If the visitors play with discipline, they should be able to take all three points without too much trouble.
