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

Real Sociedad will be aiming to post their first victory of their 2025-26 La Liga campaign when they head to promoted outfit Real Oviedo on Saturday evening.

The visitors have picked up two points from their opening two matches of the season to sit 11th in the La Liga table, while the hosts are 19th, having lost their first two games back at this level of football.

Match preview

Real Oviedo secured a return to La Liga through last season's Segunda Division playoffs, with the Blues back at this level for the first time since 2001, and it has been tough for them thus far.

Indeed, Veljko Paunovic's side opened their 2025-26 campaign with a 2-0 defeat to Villarreal, before suffering a 3-0 loss to Real Madrid last time out, but they can take positives from their performance against Los Blancos.

Real Oviedo will take on Getafe and Elche in their two matches immediately after the September international break before welcoming to Barcelona, and they will not want their winless run to continue into October.

Los Azules have been busy during this summer's transfer window, with their standout addition proving to be Eric Bailly on a free transfer, while Luka Ilic has been their biggest arrival in terms of a transfer fee.

Real Oviedo are winless in their last three matches against Real Sociedad in all competitions, with their last victory over the Basque outfit coming in La Liga back in November 2000.

Real Sociedad have tackled Real Oviedo on three occasions since their last La Liga fixture, with those contests taking place in the Copa del Rey, and two of those games have ended in wins for the Basque side.

La Real had a disappointing 2024-25 La Liga season, only picking up 46 points from their 38 matches, which left them in 12th spot in the table, some 24 points off fifth-placed Villarreal.

The White and Blues have started this campaign with successive draws, playing out a 1-1 with Valencia at Mestalla on August 16 before a 2-2 with Espanyol last time out.

Sergio Francisco's side will be expecting to challenge for a European spot this term considering the quality in their squad, and further incomings cannot be ruled out before the end of the transfer window.

Real Sociedad have only made two signings this summer, with Goncalo Guedes arriving from Wolverhampton Wanderers, while Duje Caleta-Car has joined on loan from Lyon.

Real Oviedo La Liga form:

Real Sociedad La Liga form:

Team News

Real Oviedo will have Alberto Reina available again following a suspension, and he is expected to come straight back into the XI for the La Liga fixture with Real Sociedad.

However, Alvaro Lemos, Jaime Seoane and Lucas Ahijado are out of the match due to injury problems.

Real Oviedo are still waiting to score their first goal of the campaign, and there is again expected to be a spot in the final third of the field for experienced striker Salomon Rondon.

As for Real Sociedad, the visitors have no injury concerns ahead of the contest.

Head coach Francisco could make an important change in the final third of the field, with Orri Oskarsson potentially being introduced into the XI following his goal off the bench against Espanyol.

Such a move would lead to the captain Mikel Oyarzabal being shifted into a wide area, while there could also be introductions into the side for Caleta-Car, Aihen Munoz and Jon Gorrotxategi.

Real Oviedo possible starting lineup:

Escandell; Vidal, Costas, Calvo, Alhassane; Reina, Sibo; Hassan, Ilic, Chaira; Rondon

Real Sociedad possible starting lineup:

Remiro; Aramburu, Zubeldia, Caleta-Car, Munoz; Marin, Gorrotxategi; Kubo, Oyarzabal, Barrenetxea; Oskarsson

We say: Real Oviedo 1-2 Real Sociedad

We fancy Real Oviedo to score their first La Liga goal of the season this weekend, but it is not expected to be enough to earn them a positive result, with Real Sociedad likely to have too much attacking quality for the promoted side.

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