Valencia vs Real Sociedad Prediction & Betting Tips (19 January)

Before talking about Valencia's torpor in La Liga, let's talk about its qualification for the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey on Tuesday evening, helped by a fairly lenient draw with a trip to D3 Ourense, winning 0-2. Remember that in the previous round, the Ché club defeated Elsense, a 2nd division club 0-2. In the championship therefore, the Blanquinegros have not won for seven days and they occupy the very dangerous 20th place, now 4 lengths behind the first non-relegation place. More time to lose for the Chés who nevertheless managed to limit the damage in Seville last weekend by bringing back 1 point 1-1 following their defeat against Real Madrid at Mestalla on Friday January 3 1-2 in conceding both goals in the money-time and in numerical superiority. During this run of 7 unsuccessful matches, the six-time Spanish champion lost in Valladolid, direct competitor for maintenance 1-0, against Rayo Vallecano at home 0-1, and on the pitch of Mallorca 2-1.

Real Sociedad will also have participated in the round of 16 of the Copa del Rey against a well-established opponent of D1 size, Rayo Vallecano to follow. In La Liga, the Basques are far from considering a race to maintain and are more the type to look forward. And ahead, it's the race for Europe for the men of Alguacil who have just won a cleaver against Villarreal last weekend 1-0, with a goal from Japanese international Kubo. Note that to punctuate 2024, Sociedad fell to Vigo 2-0 , following its tasteless draw against Las Palmas at home 0-0.

Having just arrived at the club from Sociedad on loan, Umar Sadiq scored his first goal as Ché in the Copa del Rey. It remains to be seen whether he will be able to play this evening against his club. Very often, clubs install clauses regarding their loaned players that prevent them from playing against them. In addition, it is important to add that right back Correia will be OUT until the end of the season, while Diakhaby is approaching a full year without having set foot on a pitch (absent this evening). Fran Perez has creaking adductors and will miss this opposition, the same for the offensive Rioja and Rafa Mir. Starting at right back against the Yellow Submarine last weekend, Aramburu received a yellow, one too many which will prevent him from playing this evening at Mestalla (suspended).

Note that the usual holder of this position Hamari Traoré (ex-Rennes) is seriously injured like his second in the position, Odriozola. Suspended for an accumulation of yellow cards against Villarreal, Zubeldia (crucial) will return to competition. Injured for a long time, the offensive Zakharyan returned to the match sheet but has still not played a single minute. Authors of 4 goals each in the championship, Kubo and Oyarzabal will have to redouble their efforts in the second half of the season to allow the Basques to play in Europe next season. 

• Summary: Valencia is going head to head with Real Sociedad starting on 19 Jan 2025 at 20:00 UTC at Mestalla stadium, Valencia city, Spain. The match is a part of the LaLiga .
• Referee: Victor Garcia Verdura
• Valencia Feedinco Rating: 6.91
• Real Sociedad Feedinco Rating: 8.0