La Liga: Real Sociedad vs. Celta

Posted on | May 16, 2007 | No Comments

This weekend’s bottom of the table clash has the makings of a real ‘live or die’ battle. Both teams are on thirty points, with Celta second from the bottom because of goal difference. The fourth from bottom position -and salvation- is four points away and occupied by Athletic Bilbao. They have an extremely difficult away game to Zaragoza, so both Real Sociedad and Celta realise the importance of this match. The home team is probably the favourite and for a couple of reasons, too. Form wise Real Sociedad are in the middle of the table with five wins and a draw in their last ten games. Celta on the other hand, are a complete disaster at the moment and it will take nothing short of a miracle to save them. In the last ten matches played, they have only one win and one draw to their names. Four points from a possible thirty at this stage in the championship won’t get you very far.
Another reason why Real Sociedad are favourites is the fact that they haven’t lost to Celta in their stadium for almost ten years, coming away with a win and four draws. But perhaps the most important factor in this game will be the fans. The ground was showing ‘sold out’ tickets almost a week before kick off. After two consecutive defeats, Real won last weekend to bottom placed Nastic and this has restored the fan’s faith in their team. They could also condemn archrivals Athletic Bilbao to relegation as well which would be their Champions league cup, UEFA cup, King’s cup and league title all rolled into one! Don’t forget that Athletic Bilbao are one of only three teams in Spain never to have been relegated, and for Real Sociedad to be the ones to do it would make the fan’s season.
Things at Celta de Vigo aren’t going too well. Coach Hristo Stoitchkov was supposed to have been the revelation to turn around Celta’s fortunes, but his lack of experience is proving to be a disaster. Since arriving, he has won just one game and lost four. More worryingly, Celta have only managed to find the back of the twice in the last five matches.
I’m putting some money on Real Sociedad to take the three points. They have better players, and more importantly, the will to save themselves from relegation. Celta it seems, has already given up.
Prediction: Home win (3-0)

Related posts:

1. La Liga: Nastic vs. Real Sociedad
2. La Liga: Real Sociedad vs. Barcelona
3. La Liga: Real Sociedad vs. Racing de Santander
4. La Liga: Valencia vs. Real Sociedad
5. La Liga: Real Sociedad vs. Athletico Madrid

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