Real Sociedad vs Celta Vigo

Real Sociedad face Celta Vigo in La Liga on Thursday, 3 September 2026, with both sides searching for their first win of the regular season in a round six clash. The hosts sit joint-bottom of the table without a point, while the visitors have only a single draw to show from their opening two outings. Both camps carry early-season injury concerns into a fixture that carries significant weight even at this stage of the campaign.

Team News and Injury Latest

Real Sociedad manager Pellegrino Matarazzo is dealing with a defensive headache. Long-term absentee Alvaro Odriozola remains sidelined with a knee injury, while midfield pair Jon Gorrotxategi and Pablo Marin are both listed as doubts. On a brighter note, reports suggest Carlos Soler, Igor Zubeldia and Ander Barrenetxea are all expected to start, giving the Basque side a more settled look in midfield and attack than their early results imply.

Celta Vigo head coach Claudio Giraldez has fewer concerns to manage. Midfielder Matias Vecino is the only confirmed absentee, out until late in the season. Star forward Iago Aspas is set to lead the line alongside Ferran Jutgla, with Williot Swedberg providing support from deeper positions. Experienced defenders Carl Starfelt and Marcos Alonso are pencilled into the backline, offering a blend of physicality and top-flight know-how.

Real Sociedad Form Guide

La Real are still waiting to get off the mark. A narrow 1-0 defeat away to Real Betis on the opening weekend was followed by a chastening 4-1 loss at the Santiago Bernabeu, where Kylian Mbappe helped himself to a hat-trick. The numbers make uncomfortable reading: two games, one goal scored and five conceded. Matarazzo’s side have not been helped by injuries, but the manner of the collapse in Madrid exposed frailties that need urgent correction.

Celta Vigo Form Guide

Celta have at least put a point on the board. A goalless draw at Valencia was a solid if unspectacular start, but a 2-1 home defeat to Osasuna in their most recent league match tempered any early optimism. Borja Iglesias remains out with a muscle problem until mid-September, robbing Giraldez of a proven goalscorer, while Vecino’s long-term absence limits options in the engine room. Celta’s away record in the Basque Country has historically been poor, and they travel here under genuine pressure.