Preview: Eldense vs Real Sociedad - prediction, team news, lineups

Real Sociedad will bid to begin an upturn in fortunes when they face Eldense in the round-of-32 of the Copa del Rey on Tuesday night.

At a time when the visitors sit in 15th position in the La Liga table, Eldense are seventh in Primera Federation - Group 2, which is the third tier of Spanish football.

Match preview

When Real Sociedad promoted Sergio Francisco to the role as head coach in the summer, they had high hopes that continuity behind the scenes would bring stability that would keep them in contention for European qualification in the long term.

Instead, the 46-year-old was dismissed over the weekend after just 18 matches with the club sitting just one point above the relegation zone.

The decision to sack Francisco came after a 2-1 home defeat to relegation rivals Girona, a setback that followed the previous 1-0 loss at Alaves.

To Francisco's credit, he lost just three of his last 11 games, yet it is the three-match losing streak in La Liga that forced the hand of Real Sociedad chiefs.

Real Sociedad last won a game against a team in the top flight and without them being reduced to 10 men on November 1.

Wins - by 3-0 and 2-0 scorelines respectively - have been recorded at SD Negreira and Reus FCR to reach this stage of the competition.

Meanwhile, Eldense are one of six teams in the third tier of Spanish football or lower to progress this far in the Copa del Rey.

They have done so by beating fourth-tier Jaen 3-1 on away territory before they stunned second-tier Almeira by a 2-1 scoreline in the previous round, overturning a half-time deficit in the process.

Eldense - now with Claudio Barragan as their head coach - have suffered just one defeat in 11 matches in all competitions and currently occupy seventh place in the Primera Federation - Group 2 as they bid to earn an immediate return to the Segunda Division.

Azulgranas sit two points adrift of the playoffs on the back of their 1-0 win over lowly Tarazona last time out, strengthening a home record that has produced 17 points from eight league games.

Eldense Copa del Rey form:

Eldense form (all competitions):

Real Sociedad Copa del Rey form:

Real Sociedad form (all competitions):

Team News

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Borja Calvo is an option to come into the Eldense midfield having replaced Marcos Bustillo at half time against Tarazona.

Although only two Eldense players have played the full 180 minutes of the previous two Copa del Rey ties, Barragan is unlikely to tinker with his starting lineup for this contest unless there are injury issues.

Hamza Bellari has two goals and one assist from 150 minutes in this season's Copa del Rey.

Ion Ansotegi being promoted to interim head coach for two games makes the Real Sociedad XI difficult to predict.

However, Real Sociedad were leading Girona before changes were made and up until the 76th minute. Therefore, the temptation will be to select a similar side.

Aside from Jon Karrikaburu replacing Ander Barranetxea and second-choice goalkeeper Unai Marrero starting between the sticks, the rest of the team may stay the same.

Despite his recent return to the squad, Croatia international Luka Sucic could be kept in reserve.

Eldense possible starting lineup:

Vila; Clemente, Smand, Serradell, Ruiz; Molina, Calvo, Quintana; Fidel, Dioni, Bellari

Real Sociedad possible starting lineup:

Marrero; Aramburu, Martin, Zubeldia, Gomez; Gorrotxategi; Kubo, Mendez, Soler, Karrikaburu; Guedes

We say: Eldense 1-3 Real Sociedad

With their opponents having a temporary head coach in charge, Eldense will back themselves to cause an upset at Estadio Municipal Nuevo Pepico Amat. However, we can only back the La Liga side to come through, even if they are made to work hard for a place in the last 16.  

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.