Key Facts
- Real Sociedad heads into the match having gone six league games without a win; Barrenetxea’s adductor injury and Caleta-Car’s suspension further weaken the team.
- Valencia desperately needs points to avoid relegation, but travels to San Sebastián with up to seven injured players (including Gayà, Saravia, and Foulquier).
- Head-to-head: Four of the last five meetings have had fewer than 2.5 goals, and every first half of those games ended with fewer than two goals.
- Valencia has gone into halftime level in five consecutive league games, suggesting a cautious, low-scoring first half.
- Set pieces could be a key factor: Valencia has conceded 12 league goals from set pieces—a weakness against Real Sociedad, who are strong in the air.
- Aritz Elustondo is expected to play his farewell match at Anoeta and will replace the suspended Caleta-Car; the emotional setting could provide Real Sociedad with extra motivation despite their current slump.
Aritz Elustondo is heading toward his emotional farewell match at Anoeta, Ander Barrenetxea is out with an adductor injury, and Valencia travels to the penultimate La Liga matchday as the visiting team without having mathematically secured their place in the league.
- Venue: Anoeta, San Sebastian
- Date and time: May 17, 2026, 7:00 PM
- Competition: La Liga (Matchday 37)
The betting market sees Real Sociedad as slight favorites, but it’s not that clear-cut. Valencia has gone into halftime level in five consecutive league matches, and both teams tend to play low-scoring first halves. With Ander Barrenetxea, a suspended center back for the hosts, out of the lineup, as well as Valencia’s missing fullbacks—which calls for caution—the halftime bets on a draw, under 2.5 goals, and a draw or win for Valencia are certainly justified.
Real Sociedad Form & Record Check
The most recent disappointment came at Montilivi, where Jon Martín put Real Sociedad ahead following a cross from Sergio Gómez, before Girona forced a 1-1 draw.
It wasn’t a performance marked by much control, and Matarazzo’s team was lucky to come away with a point. Ander Barrenetxea’s early substitution turned into a bigger problem because the club subsequently confirmed that an adductor injury has sidelined him.
The pattern in the league is troubling: six rounds without a win, and the last victory dates back to April 4 against Levante. Draws against Real Betis and Rayo Vallecano showed resilience, but the loss to Sevilla and the home match against Getafe exposed a lack of firepower. Real Sociedad sits in eighth place and can continue to put pressure on Getafe, while Aritz Elustondo’s farewell adds extra emotion to the match.
Lineup decisions will play a key role: Aritz Elustondo could start alongside Jon Martín, as Duje Caleta-Car is suspended after receiving his fifth league yellow card. Gonçalo Guedes has returned to team training and could feature against his former club. Takefusa Kubo, recently confirmed for Japan’s World Cup squad, will likely have to take on more responsibility in the attack.
Real Sociedad is expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Álex Remiro in goal and a back four consisting of Jon Aramburu, Jon Martín, Aritz Elustondo, and Sergio Gómez. In midfield, Jon Gorrotxategi and Yangel Herrera are expected to form the defensive midfield duo. Ander Barrenetxea is out, and Pablo Marín is expected to replace him on the left. Álvaro Odriozola remains sidelined with a torn ACL, so Jon Aramburu is set to start at right back. Further up front, Takefusa Kubo and Mikel Oyarzabal are likely to carry the bulk of the attacking load.
Valencia could line up in a 4-4-2, though a confirmed starting lineup has not yet been announced. Stole Dimitrievski is slated to start in goal, with Unai Núñez, César Tárrega, Eray Cömert, and Jesús Vázquez forming the back line. Pepelu and Guido Rodríguez are expected to anchor the midfield, while Diego López and Luis Rioja will support Hugo Duro. Julen Agirrezabala is out, which is why Stole Dimitrievski should start. Additionally, José Copete, Mouctar Diakhaby, Thierry Correia, and Dimitri Foulquier remain unavailable. According to reports, José Gayà and Renzo Saravia are also unavailable, so Jesús Vázquez is expected to provide cover on the left side and Unai Núñez is seen as a possible solution on the right side of the defense. Since Lucas Beltrán is also still questionable, Hugo Duro is considered the starting striker.
Valencia Form & Record Check
Valencia left Mestalla dissatisfied after the 1-1 draw against Rayo Vallecano, a result that neither secured their survival nor really fueled hopes of European qualification. Javi Guerra was their clearest playmaker, setting up Diego López’s goal and delivering the few passes that changed the pace of the game. It was concerning how much control Rayo gained in midfield once Valencia ran out of early energy.
Corberán’s team is nevertheless harder to beat than the hype surrounding them suggests. In their last five league games, they have suffered only one defeat, against Atlético Madrid. They also recorded a 1-0 win against Athletic Club and a 2-1 victory over Girona, as well as draws against Mallorca and Rayo. The recurring pattern is that Valencia rarely dominates early on; five consecutive first halves have ended level.
The away trip is complicated by personnel absences. According to the latest reports from Valencia, José Gayà and Renzo Saravia are out with muscle issues, further lengthening a defensive injury list that already includes Julen Agirrezabala, José Copete, Mouctar Diakhaby, Thierry Correia, and Dimitri Foulquier. Luis Rioja has urged the team to stay focused, but the patchwork defense makes Corberán’s game management particularly crucial. Another factor is set pieces: Valencia has conceded 12 goals from set pieces in the league, and against a Real Sociedad side that recently scored thanks to Jon Martín’s heading prowess, this detail could prove decisive.
Valencia could line up in a 4-4-2, though a confirmed starting lineup has not yet been announced. Stole Dimitrievski is expected to start in goal, with Unai Núñez, César Tárrega, Eray Cömert, and Jesús Vázquez forming the back line. In midfield, Diego López, Pepelu, Guido Rodríguez, and Luis Rioja are expected to start, while Javi Guerra is slated to play as a link-up player close to Hugo Duro.
The injury situation is a major factor in the lineup. Julen Agirrezabala is out, which is why Stole Dimitrievski should start. In addition, José Copete, Mouctar Diakhaby, Thierry Correia, and Dimitri Foulquier remain unavailable. According to reports, José Gayà and Renzo Saravia are also out, so Jesús Vázquez is expected to provide cover on the left side and Unai Núñez is seen as a possible solution on the right side of the defense. Since Lucas Beltrán is also still questionable, Hugo Duro is expected to start as the striker.
Real Sociedad – Valencia Head-to-Head & Stats
In their last five meetings, Real Sociedad has the edge: three wins, one draw, and one win for Valencia. The most recent encounter took place in August 2025, when Valencia and Real Sociedad drew 1-1 at Mestalla. Prior to that, Valencia won 1-0 in 2025, ending a streak of three consecutive Real Sociedad wins in this matchup.
The scoring pattern is notable: four of the five matches had fewer than 2.5 goals, all five had fewer than 3.5, and every first half ended with fewer than two goals. Real Sociedad’s 3-0 home win in 2024 was the clear exception, while the narrow victories from 2024 and 2023 are more representative of the typical trend in these matches.
