Real Sociedad Vs Getafe

Real Sociedad will look to recover from two consecutive defeats when they face Getafe in La Liga at Anoeta Stadium on Sunday afternoon. After a disappointing 3-1 loss to Lazio in the Europa League, the Basque side will be hoping to bounce back in front of their home crowd. Getafe, on the other hand, are entering this clash with positive momentum following a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Barcelona last weekend, making it four unbeaten matches for the team managed by José Bordalás since the beginning of the year.

The last few weeks have been a challenging period for Real Sociedad. After starting 2025 with three consecutive victories in all competitions, they have now fallen short in their last two matches. Their 1-0 defeat to Valencia in La Liga last weekend marked their first loss in the league since mid-December, and the 3-1 defeat to Lazio in the Europa League on Thursday night has added further frustration. Despite these setbacks, Real Sociedad remain in a competitive position in La Liga, holding seventh place with 28 points from 20 matches.

While the team has suffered a dip in form recently, it is worth noting that their early 2025 success had given them a solid foundation. Their three victories in January came against Villarreal in La Liga and two Copa del Rey triumphs, which secured their place in the quarter-finals of the competition. However, the recent losses have somewhat undermined their progress, and the team will need to find a way to recover quickly if they are to maintain their push for European football next season.

In the Europa League, Real Sociedad find themselves in a precarious position. They are currently in 18th place in the group standings, with their chances of progressing to the knockout stage hanging by a thread. The team will need a positive result in their final match of the group phase against PAOK next week to secure a spot in the playoffs. This uncertainty in European competition only adds to the pressure that coach Imanol Alguacil and his players are feeling at this stage of the season.

At home, Real Sociedad has been inconsistent, winning just 14 points from 10 matches at Anoeta. Despite their generally solid play, they have failed to put together a consistent run of results in front of their supporters, which could be a concern as they prepare to face Getafe. Nevertheless, the fact that Getafe has struggled on the road this season might give Real Sociedad some confidence heading into the match.

Getafe, meanwhile, are riding a wave of positive form to start the year. After a difficult end to 2024, the team has managed to string together three consecutive wins in January, which includes a La Liga victory over Las Palmas and two Copa del Rey successes over Granada and Pontevedra. These wins have boosted their confidence and secured their place in the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey. The team's strong start to the year also continued with their impressive 1-1 draw against Barcelona at home, with Mauro Arambarri's goal cancelling out a first-half strike from Jules Koundé.

Despite these positive results, Getafe's league position remains concerning. The team is currently in 16th place in La Liga, with just 20 points from 20 matches. While they have shown resilience in recent weeks, they are still only one point clear of the relegation zone, and their survival in La Liga is far from assured. Getafe's struggles have been particularly evident in their attacking play, as they have scored just 14 goals this season, the joint-lowest in the league. This lack of firepower is a major issue for Bordalás's side, and it will need to be addressed if they are to avoid a potential relegation battle in the second half of the season.

Like Real Sociedad, Getafe has been solid defensively this season, conceding just 17 goals, which is the third-best defensive record in La Liga. While their defense has been relatively strong, the inability to score goals has put additional pressure on the team's backline to maintain their form. In contrast, Real Sociedad has been a bit more vulnerable in defense, conceding 14 goals, but their strong record has been enough to keep them in contention for European football.

Both teams have faced challenges in their attacking play this season, and this match is likely to be a low-scoring affair. Real Sociedad's struggles in front of goal are evident, having scored just 17 goals this season, the third-worst record in La Liga. Similarly, Getafe's inability to find the back of the net consistently has been a major problem, and they have managed just 14 goals in 20 matches. Despite their attacking difficulties, both sides have been defensively solid, with Real Sociedad boasting the second-best defensive record in the league. With both teams relying on their defenses to keep them in games, it is expected that this match will be a tense and tactical affair, with both managers focused on ensuring their teams remain compact at the back.

Looking ahead to the match, Real Sociedad will need to shake off their recent setbacks and regain the form that saw them start 2025 on a high. A victory over Getafe would help them regain confidence and keep their hopes of securing European qualification alive. However, they will have to overcome the challenge of a Getafe side that is full of confidence after their strong start to the year. Bordalás will be hoping his team can continue their unbeaten run and secure a much-needed victory to move further away from the relegation zone.

For Getafe, the key to success will be finding a way to improve their attacking play and take advantage of the opportunities that come their way. While their defense has been strong, they will need to be more clinical in front of goal if they are to pose a serious threat to Real Sociedad. With both teams struggling to score, the outcome of this match could be determined by small moments of individual brilliance or a defensive mistake.

Ultimately, this clash between Real Sociedad and Getafe will be a crucial match for both sides. Real Sociedad is aiming to bounce back from two disappointing defeats and continue their push for European football, while Getafe is fighting to move further away from the relegation zone. With both teams solid defensively but struggling in attack, this match could be a low-scoring, tightly contested affair, where the smallest of margins may decide the outcome.