Still searching for their first victory of the 2023-24 La Liga campaign, Real Sociedad will welcome Granada to Anoeta Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The Basque outfit have drawn each of their opening three matches to occupy 12th in the table, while Granada have also picked up three points from their first three games to sit down in 15th.
Match preview
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Real Sociedad claimed fourth in Spain's top flight last season, which proved to be their first Champions League finish in 10 years, and they will compete in the group stage of the 2023-24 European Cup.
The White and Blues are yet to get off the mark in terms of a win this season, though, having drawn their opening three matches against Girona, Celta Vigo and Las Palmas.
Real Sociedad have been victorious in three of their last four league matches against Granada, including both games during the 2021-22 campaign, running out 2-0 winners on home soil.
Imanol Alguacil's side have only made four signings this summer, with the latest of those proving to be Kieran Tierney, who has arrived on loan from Arsenal until the end of the campaign.
Real Sociedad have also brought Arsen Zakharyan, Hamari Traore and Andre Silva to the club, while their notable departure has been David Silva, with the 37-year-old retiring at the end of last season.
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Granada, meanwhile, lost their opening two matches of the 2023-24 La Liga season against Atletico Madrid and Rayo Vallecano, but they managed to post their first win of the campaign last time out.
Miguel Rubio, Bryan Zaragoza and Myrto Uzuni were on the scoresheet in a 3-2 success over Mallorca, with the result getting the promoted outfit off the mark in terms of points for the season.
Granada won the 2022-23 Segunda Division to secure a return to the top flight, ultimately finishing three points clear of second-placed Las Palmas in the table.
The Andalusian outfit have signed seven new players this summer, with the biggest of those in terms of a transfer fee proving to be Lucas Boye, who has arrived from Elche.
Granada actually finished seventh and ninth in La Liga in their two seasons immediately after their promotion back to La Liga in 2019, but any spot higher than 18th would be considered a success this term.
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Team News
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Real Sociedad will again be missing Urko Gonzalez, Aritz Elustondo and Martin Merquelanz through injury, while Andre Silva remains a fitness doubt for the home side.
Zakharyan is in contention to start following his debut off the bench last time out, although it would not be a surprise to see the youngster again be among the substitutes for the first whistle.
However, there should be a full debut at left-back for Tierney, with the Scotland international set to be an important player for the team following his arrival from Arsenal.
Umar Sadiq and Mikel Oyarzabal are also pushing to be introduced in the final third of the field.
Granada, meanwhile, will again be without the services of Gonzalo Villar, Raul Torrente and Jesus Vallejo due to fitness problems.
However, Antonio Puertas is available again following a suspension, and the Spaniard will return to the squad for the clash with Real Sociedad.
Head coach Lopez could decide to select the same XI that took to the field for the first whistle against Mallorca, with Zaragoza and Uzuni featuring in the final third of the field.
Real Sociedad possible starting lineup:
Remiro; Traore, Zubeldia, Le Normand, Tierney; Zubimendi, Merino, Mendez; Oyarzabal, Sadiq, Kubo
Granada possible starting lineup:
Fernandez; Sanchez, Rubio, Miquel, Neva; Melendo, Gumbau, Ruiz, Callejon; Uzuni, Zaragoza
We say: Real Sociedad 2-1 Granada
Real Sociedad are due a win, and we are expecting that to happen this weekend. Granada are capable of making it a very uncomfortable match, but home advantage should allow the Basque outfit to navigate their way to an important three points on Saturday afternoon.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Matt Law
