DomainJava.com – Ponferradina vs Real Sociedad prediction in the Copa Del Rey match, Real Sociedad will try to secure their place in the last 16 of the Copa del Rey when they face third division team Ponferradina on Sunday afternoon.
The visitors suffered a 2-0 defeat to Celta Vigo in their last La Liga match before the winter break, but Ponferradina will take four wins into the match in the last 32 of the Copa del Rey.
Ponferradina play their league football in the Spanish third division, but they have spent 10 seasons in the second division throughout their history, last competing at that level in 2022-23 before being relegated.
La Deportiva will take a four-game winning streak into this match, with a strong league campaign to date leaving them third in Group 1 of the RFEF Primera Division, six points behind leaders Cultural Leonesa.
Javi Rey’s men have beaten Escobedo and Castellon, both on penalties, in the opening rounds of this season’s Copa del Rey, and they are aiming to progress to the last 16 for the first time in their history.
Ponferradina are unbeaten at home in all competitions since September 22, but this will undoubtedly be their toughest test of the season, as the team currently seventh in the La Liga table will travel to the Estadio El Toralin.
Real Sociedad suffered a 2-0 defeat to Celta Vigo last time out, while they were also held to a goalless draw by Las Palmas on December 15, leaving the Basque side with just one point to show for their last two league games.
A total of 25 points from 18 La Liga games leaves them seventh in the table, five points behind sixth-placed Mallorca and 11 points clear of fourth-placed Athletic Bilbao, with Imanol Alguacil’s side having had their share of problems this season.
The White and Blue have a lot of catching up to do at the moment, as they are also battling to reach the next stage of the Europa League, with the team currently 12th in the overall standings, with 10 points from six games.
It’s fair to say that the Copa del Rey is third on their list of priorities this season, but it is a competition the club have won on three occasions, including in the 2019-20 season, when they beat Basque rivals Athletic Bilbao in the event. final.
Meanwhile, Alguacil’s side have reached the quarter-finals twice and the semifinals in their last three seasons, so it would be a surprise if they were not present in the final stages of the tournament.
Ponferradina head coach Rey can name the same team that took to the pitch to blow the first whistle against Castellon in the previous round of the competition, with the squad expected to be rewarded once again.
Jose Luis Cortes has scored just two goals in 17 appearances during the 2024-25 season, but he will continue to play in the final third of the pitch, while Yeray Cabanzon should also earn a place in the starting XI.
Meanwhile for Real Sociedad, Arsen Zakharyan, Aritz Elustondo and Hamari Traore are absent due to injury, while Alvaro Odriozola is still doubtful due to a muscle problem.
Head coach Alguacil will make changes for this match, with Orri Oskarsson likely to operate in midfield, while there should also be places in the side for Sheraldo Becker and Pablo Marin.
There is still speculation surrounding Martin Zubimendi’s future, with the midfielder believed to be on Manchester City’s radar this month, and he is expected to be one of the players rested by the La Liga side this weekend.
(source: Sportsmole)
Ponferradina vs Real Sociedad Player Predictions
Ponferradina : Jimenez; Jorrin, Novoa, Lanco, A Lopez; God, Lozano; Gomez, Valle, Cabanzon; Cortes
Real Sociedad : Marrero; Munoz, Martin, Pacheco, J Lopez; Olasagasti, Gonzalez, Marin; Becker, Oskarsson, Kubo
Ponferradina vs Real Sociedad Score Prediction: 1-2
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