Real Sociedad Vs Las Palmas

Real Sociedad will look to extend their impressive winning streak to six matches in all competitions when they host Las Palmas at the Reale Arena this Sunday afternoon in a La Liga fixture. The Basque side comes into this encounter on the back of a successful European campaign earlier in the week, while their opponents, Las Palmas, have had the luxury of a full week to reflect on their latest domestic win.

Real Sociedad, a team that has consistently finished in the top six of La Liga in recent seasons, are determined to challenge for the highest positions once again this year. Their aspirations stretch beyond domestic glory, as they also aim for success on the European stage, seeking their first-ever continental trophy. On Thursday, they moved a step closer to securing a spot in the knockout rounds of the Europa League, following a dominant 3-0 win over Dynamo Kyiv. Mikel Oyarzabal, who has been a standout performer for the club, netted twice in the first half, with Sheraldo Becker adding another goal to seal the comfortable victory. This win came in the wake of a disappointing start to the group stage, as they had only managed one victory from their first five matches. However, the win over Dynamo Kyiv put them in a good position to advance, with the Ukrainian side still winless in the competition.

Domestically, Real Sociedad are currently sixth in La Liga, eight points behind Athletic Bilbao, who occupy the Champions League spot, but only two points behind Villarreal in fifth. Despite some frustrations in front of goal this season, the team has been extremely solid defensively. Since a surprise 2-1 defeat to Viktoria Plzen in early November, they have won seven of their last eight matches across all competitions, conceding only once during that period. Their defensive record is one of the best in La Liga, with only Atletico Madrid boasting a better defensive record in the league, having conceded just 11 goals in 16 matches. 

While their defense has been rock solid, Real Sociedad will need to improve their attacking efficiency. They have only scored 16 goals in the same number of league matches, and their lack of goalscoring depth has been a concern. Mikel Oyarzabal and Takefusa Kubo have been the standout players in attack, with Oyarzabal netting a number of crucial goals, including a brace against Dynamo Kyiv. However, outside of these two players, La Real has struggled to find the back of the net on a consistent basis. This is an area that coach Imanol Alguacil will be looking to improve as they continue to fight for a European spot.

On the other hand, Las Palmas, under the guidance of their new coach Diego Martinez, have enjoyed a significant upturn in form since his arrival at the end of October. The team has won seven of their nine competitive matches, suffering just two losses, and have put themselves in a much stronger position in the La Liga standings. Martinez has instilled a sense of belief and purpose in the squad, which was evident in their recent performances. Their three consecutive wins over Barcelona, CE Europa in the Copa del Rey, and relegation-threatened Real Valladolid have been particularly impressive. All three of these victories ended in 2-1 scorelines, demonstrating the team's resilience and ability to compete with some of the top teams in the league.

Currently sitting in 14th place in the La Liga table, Las Palmas are five points clear of the relegation zone, a position that offers them some breathing room as the festive schedule intensifies. The team has also been in solid form in recent weeks, having won three of their last four league matches, including their most recent 2-1 victory over Real Valladolid. With the team steadily climbing up the table, their primary focus will be to maintain their form and secure enough points to avoid relegation, while also looking to finish higher up in the standings if possible.

A key player in Las Palmas' resurgence has been striker Sandro Ramirez, who has been in excellent form in the early stages of the 2024-25 season. After a difficult return to La Liga last year, where he only scored once, Sandro has found his rhythm this season, netting six goals and providing two assists in his first 13 league appearances. His contributions have been vital for the team, and he will be a player that Real Sociedad will need to keep an eye on during their upcoming clash. 

Las Palmas also boasts a number of players with experience in other European leagues, including Fabio Silva, who is currently on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Oli McBurnie, a former Sheffield United player. Both players have adapted well to life on the Canary Islands and have become important members of the squad. Silva, in particular, has shown glimpses of his potential, and his pace and physicality could pose a threat to the Real Sociedad defense.

With both teams in good form heading into this match, it promises to be an exciting encounter. Real Sociedad will be looking to build on their strong defensive record and improve their attacking output, while Las Palmas will be hoping to continue their recent good run and further cement their place in mid-table. For Real Sociedad, the match represents an opportunity to extend their winning streak and close the gap to the top four, while Las Palmas will see it as an important chance to continue their rise up the standings and build momentum heading into the busy festive period.

The Reale Arena will be buzzing with anticipation as both teams look to secure a vital three points. While Real Sociedad have been the more consistent team in recent seasons and will be favored in this match, Las Palmas’ recent improvement under Martinez cannot be underestimated. The match will be a test of both teams' strengths and weaknesses, and a win for either side could have significant implications for their respective ambitions in La Liga this season.