Real Sociedad vs Espanyol: La Liga First Win Hunt
Updated
Saturday evening sees Real Sociedad welcome Espanyol for a La Liga matchday 3 clash in which both sides are still hunting their first three points of the 2026‑27 campaign.
Team News and Injury Latest
Real Sociedad are without right‑back Álvaro Odriozola, whose muscular injury continues to limit Imanol’s defensive options on the flank. Jon Aramburu is expected to be fit and should step into the starting XI, giving the Basques a natural replacement but leaving them light on cover. Espanyol welcome back centre‑back Leandro Cabrera, who missed the opening‑day defeat to Real Madrid while serving a suspension carried over from last season. Alex Calatrava — the winger who troubled Real Madrid and scored the equaliser in that 2‑1 loss — is pushing for another start, while forward Roberto Fernández will lead the line again.
Form Guide
Real Sociedad opened with a flat performance against Real Betis, failing to turn promising approach play into a first win. The attack showed glimpses of the quick counters that have become a trademark under Imanol, but defensive lapses proved costly. Espanyol left the season opener with credit despite a last‑gasp defeat to José Mourinho’s star‑studded Real Madrid. Calatrava’s first‑half finish and a disciplined defensive shape kept them in the contest until a late individual mistake, suggesting Manolo González’s side can make life uncomfortable for a Sociedad team still searching for rhythm.
Key Battle: Jon Aramburu vs Alex Calatrava
With Odriozola unavailable, the right side of Real Sociedad’s defence looks the area Espanyol will target. Alex Calatrava drifted in from the left against Real Madrid to score and repeatedly tested the backline with clever runs. Aramburu, back to full fitness, will need assistance from midfield to prevent the winger from isolating him in wide areas. Real Sociedad’s best counter‑punch is their ability to turn defence into attack quickly — if they can force Espanyol into broken play, they have the tools to open up a defence that conceded twice at the death on the opening weekend.
This is an early opportunity for both clubs to kick‑start their seasons while the table is still taking shape. Real Sociedad will expect to reassert their top‑half credentials, while Espanyol will want to prove they can convert competitive performances into points on the road.
