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La Liga 2015-2016: Real Sociedad vs Valencia, Preview, Prediction & Predicted Lineup

| Jan 05, 2016 06:49 AM EST

Valencia striker Paco Alcacer.

Reeling club Real Sociedad (4-9-5, 17 points) will try to get out of its current funk as it hosts fellow struggling team Valencia CF (5-5-8, 23 points) at the Anoeta Stadium on January 10, Sunday as the 2015-2016 season moves forward.

Real Sociedad had been winless in five of its last six matches, with their last one a 2-2 draw with bottom-three club Rayo Vallecano at the Campo de Futbol de Vallecas last Sunday, as per ESPN.

Rayo opened the scoring at the 15th minute with a header from defender Diego Llorente before Sociedad right back Aritz Elustondo leveled the game at the 27th, reaching the halftime break tied at 1-1.

The hosts found the back of the net once again at the 51st courtesy of a right-footed shot from Los Franjirrojos midfielder Jozabed, but Txuriurdin managed to equalize it again at the 63rd with a goal from Portuguese midfielder Bruma.

It was a scoreless game from then on as the two squads settled for a point each in the overall standings.

Meanwhile, Valencia continues to adjust with new manager Gary Neville as they are still winless under the English coach since he took over Los Che's reins last month.

Their most recent game felt like a win, though, as they forced Spanish powerhouse Real Madrid into a 2-2 draw at the Mestalla Stadium last Sunday, via The Guardian.

Los Blancos striker Karim Benzema scored an early goal to give the capital city side the early lead, but Els Taronges captain Dani Parejo leveled it at the stroke of halftime to keep Real from pulling away.

Even after Real became a man down at the 68th minute after midfielder Mateo Kovacic was given a straight red card for lunging violently on Valencia defender Joao Cancelo, Gareth Bale still scored eight minutes before full-time.

However, Valencia striker Paco Alcacer leveled it again after 70 seconds to save the point for Neville and company.

The predicted result is Valencia over Real Sociedad, 3-1.

Real Sociedad starting lineup (4-2-3-1 formation): Rulli; C. Martinez, Elustondo, I. Martinez, Berchiche; Illarramendi, Bergara; Vela, Pardo, Bruma; Jonathas

Valencia starting lineup (4-3-3 formation): Jaume; Barragan, Santos, Abdennour, Orban; Gomes, Parejo, Danilo; Cancelo, Alcacer, De Paul

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