The Basque coast’s coolness is a little bit of a match for the burning Andalusian ambition as the old and the not-so-old players fight in a game full of emotions, pride, and pressure. The Friday evening’s gaze under the Reale Arena illumination indicates not only a coming together of the various strategies and personas but also a battle between holding one’s ground and coming up again.

• Competition: La Liga

• Date: October 24th, 2025

• Time: 07:00 PM (UTC)

For Real Sociedad, chaos has erupted. They were once top-six mainstays and have now tumbled into the relegation zone, with only one win in nine matches. Passionate fans are getting anxious, watching their side struggle to regain rhythm and belief. Sergio Francisco, an old friend of La Real’s youth level, is now under fire for his switch to a 3-4-2-1 formation. It was a bold move in one sense, but a risky one which is a tactical experiment to stop the late-goal syndrome restricting his side.

Sevilla, on the other hand, have regained their bite under Matías Almeyda, the passionate Argentine coach whose disregard for similar football has returned the Andalusians to their destination. His men hammered Barcelona 4-1 not long ago but were then defeated 3-1 by Mallorca again the week after. This inconsistency is Sevilla’s challenge: brilliance in one week and then stupidity the next.

Real Sociedad (3-4-2-1): Remiro; Zubeldia, Caleta-Car, Munoz; Aramburu, Herrera, Gorrotxategi, Gomez; Mendez, Barrenetxea; Oyarzabal

Sevilla (4-2-3-1): Vlachodimos; Carmona, Marcao, Suazo, Martinez; Agoumé, Sow; Vargas, Sanchez, Bueno; Romero

Major Tactical Takeaways:

• Sociedad employs a back-three setup to cover defensive holes but hampers offensive creativity.

• Sevilla performs high-pressing and vertically attacking—immediate direct transitions and overloaded width.

• Whoever wins the midfield battle between Méndez and Agoumé could shift possession.

Sergio Francisco’s fairytale beginning to his tenure has abruptly turned into a nightmare; 1 win, 3 ties, and 5 losses occupy his record. The stress is mounting. Almeyda’s Sevilla has shown glimpses of life but can be erratic. However, this match has the feel of a pivoted game. The energy at Reale Arena will be sky-high, and the implications great. For Sociedad, a win could spur belief; for Sevilla, a win could signify more momentum.

Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad): Captain, leader, and hero of La Real. Oyarzabal has 3 goal contributions in just 3 matches, and chemistry with Barrenetxea remains Sociedad’s best chance at creativity.

Ruben Vargas (Sevilla): The Swiss magician has been at the centre of some of Sevilla’s best moments this season with 2 goals and 4 total points all time within 8 matches. Expect Vargas to carve through Sociedad’s defensive holes with precision.

• Real Sociedad: W-L-L-D-L

• Sevilla: W-L-W-W-L

Sevilla boasts a favorable head-to-head record of 18 wins from 44 matches played against Real Sociedad (along with 11 draws and 15 losses). However, Real Sociedad beat Sevilla at home three times out of five in their previous matchups, suggesting an edge in confidence for the home side. Nevertheless, Sevilla were strong winners over Real Sociedad in two of their last three matches.

The bookmakers view the teams as evenly matched overall. An in-form Real Sociedad are a slight favorite at 21/20 (meaning you would get £21 for every £20 wagered). Sevilla is 13/5 to win the match outright (a higher amount indicative of lower chances) but presents good value at this price. A match priced as 12/5 would be a more limited chance of winning. 

Top Betting Picks:

• There will be Both Teams to Score (BTTS) (the most common pick). 

• Over 2.5 Goals (£9/4 to win, meaning you will get £90 for every £40 wagered) 

• Sevilla to Win Either Half 

• Oyarzabal to Score Anytime 

• Over 10.5 Corners—19/20 

Predicted Score: Real Sociedad 1 - 2 Sevilla 

There should be plenty of late drama in this match. Both teams are good at countering, but Almeyda and Sevilla's attacking efficiency is higher at this time, giving Sevilla the slight advantage on the road.

Fast-forward from the Basque coast to Catalonia, and the drama continues. On Saturday, Espanyol and Elche meet in an intriguing battle for momentum between two teams separated by a single point, each invoking their own identity and their own quiet aspirations. While the autumn winds may chill the air, the hot emotions at the RCDE Stadium won’t be affected. Both teams arrive oozing confidence, organized, and with big dreams.

• Competition: La Liga

• Date: October 25th, 2025

• Time: 02:15 PM (UTC)

• Location: RCDE Stadium, Barcelona

After a turbulent September, Espanyol appeared to have stabilized the ship. Their 2-0 win over Real Oviedo brought back memories of their potential. They currently sit sixth, with 15 points, and are dreaming about Europe again. Manolo González is back to giving the players and their fans belief. His 4-4-2 structure allows for quick transitions, while the twosome of Kike García and Roberto Fernández up front combine the instincts of an old-fashioned striker with the mobility of the modern game.

Elche reads like a fairytale, or a football fable if you will. Having been promoted just months ago, they are now finding the pace of La Liga, and they have adjusted with remarkable maturity while losing just once in nine games. Their organization and the work ethic of the players are clear to see, even against some of La Liga’s heavyweights. Coach Eder Sarabia has installed a 3-5-2 formation, based largely on defensive discipline and counterattacking flair. Veteran striker Andre Silva has begun climbing the charts with four goals already, while the midfield trio of Febas, Aguado, and Valera gives the side balance and work rate.

Espanyol (4-4-2): Dmitrovic; El Hilali, Riedel, Cabrera, Romero; Dolan, Lozano, Zarate, Milla; Kike García, Fernández

Elche (3-5-2): Peña; Chust, Affengruber, Bigas; Núñez, Mendoza, Febas, Aguado, Valera; Silva, Mir

Tactical Notes:

• Espanyol exploits width and pace; their full-backs will push high to stretch the pitch.

• Elche plays compact defense and vertical breaks through Silva.

• The midfield battle between Milla and Febas will dictate transitions and tempo.

Pere Milla comes into this match emotionally charged against his former team, Elche. Milla has 4 goals in 7 matches and is in terrific form. His leadership, pressing, and eye for goal have become invaluable to Espanyol’s push up the table.

“We respect Elche, but we are here to win. I have matured as a player and as a person,” Milla said pre-match, a sentiment embracing Espanyol’s new identity.  Milla will play with heart and precision and could add his own poetic prose to the occasion.

• Espanyol are unbeaten in their previous four meetings against Elche.

• Both teams scored in eight out of their last ten meetings.

• Elche have drawn three out of their four away games this season.

• Espanyol averages 1.44 goals per match; Elche averages 1.22 goals per match.

• Expected Goals (xG): Espanyol 1.48 | Elche 1.09 

• Expected Flow: A close first half, tactical discipline early, followed by an open, attack-minded finish. 

Snapshot:

Smart Betting Picks

• Both Teams to Score (BTTS): Yes 

• Under 2.5 Goals (1.85)

• Correct Score: Espanyol 2-1 Elche

• Over 3.5 Yellow Cards—likely based on physicality 

Predicted Result: Espanyol 2 - 1 Elche

Wanting Espanyol to take positive results, such as their home field advantage and attack flow, but noting that if Elche are organised, a tense finish is likely.

This La Liga weekend will produce two very different portraits:

1. Real Sociedad v Sevilla—A tale of desperation meets dynamism. 

2. Espanyol v Elche—A tale of revival meets resilience.

In the first half, Sociedad and Sevilla scheme inside the expectations and pressure and head into the other half, while Espanyol and Elche benefit from the illustrations of emotional revival and the levers of tactical discipline.

Real Sociedad: 

• Takefusa Kubo (doubtful - ankle) 

• Orri Oskarsson (out - thigh) 

• Umar Sadiq (coach's decision) 

Sevilla: 

• César Azpilicueta (groin), Batista Mendy (hamstring)—out 

• Joan Jordan, Tanguy Nianzou - doubtful 

Espanyol: 

• Javi Puado (knee)—out 

Elche: 

• Diangana, Fort—doubtful 

• Affengruber returns from suspension. 

At the Reale Arena, despair meets swagger with Real Sociedad vs Sevilla; expect an exciting, frantic encounter, and Almeyda’s favorite pressing game could make all the difference. In Catalonia, Espanyol welcomes Elche to their ground in a slightly slower but equally emotional battle and one based almost completely around tactical smarts and stories and circumstance, like Pere Milla's homecoming heroics.

• Real Sociedad 1 - 2 Sevilla

• Espanyol 2 - 1 Elche