As Real Sociedad prepares to take on Eldense in the Copa del Rey roundof32, both teams come into the match with contrasting circumstances. The match is scheduled for Tuesday night, with Real Sociedad currently sitting in 15th place in La Liga, while Eldense is placed seventh in the Primera Federación—Group 2, which is the third tier of Spanish football.
Match Preview
Real Sociedad recently promoted Sergio Francisco to head coach, hoping for stability and a shot at European qualification. However, after just 18 matches, he was dismissed following a disappointing 21 loss to Girona. This defeat marked the team’s third consecutive loss in Liga, placing them precariously close to the relegation zone.
- Last league win: November 1
- Recent Copa del Rey victories: 30 against SD Negreira and 20 vs. Reus FCR
Eldense, now under the guidance of Claudio Barragan, has emerged as a strong contender in the Copa del Rey. The team stunned their opponents by defeating fourthtier Jaen 31 and secondtier Almeria 21 in the previous rounds, showing resilience by overcoming a halftime deficit in the latter match.
- Eldense Copa del Rey form: Two wins
- Overall form in all competitions: 1 loss in 11 matches
- Current league standing: 7th in Primera Federación
Team News
For Eldense, midfielder Borja Calvo may return after stepping in for Marcos Bustillo recently. Barragan is likely to maintain his starting lineup barring any injuries, despite a few players having experienced reduced playing time in the Copa del Rey. Hamza Bellari stands out with two goals and an assist in this season’s tournament.
On the other side, Real Sociedad faces challenges in naming a consistent starting lineup due to the interim coaching position held by Ion Ansotegi. Recent strategies show promise, as the team was leading against Girona before key changes were made.
Possible Lineups
Here is a look at the potential lineups for both teams:
| Eldense | Real Sociedad |
|---|---|
| Vila | Marrero |
| Clemente | Aramburu |
| Smand | Martin |
| Serradell | Zubeldia |
| Ruiz | Gomez |
| Molina | Gorrotxategi |
| Calvo | Kubo |
| Quintana | Mendez |
| Fidel | Soler |
| Dioni | Karrikaburu |
| Bellari | Guedes |
With Eldense looking to capitalize on the temporary situation at Real Sociedad, the match holds potential for an upset. However, predictions favor Real Sociedad to emerge victorious, likely putting in a challenging performance to secure a spot in the last 16 of the tournament.