Neither history (Elche failed to win in 18 visits to Real Sociedad in the First Division) nor the present moment (both teams split with 32 points and 16 places at the table) invites optimism for Franjiverde’s duel this Sunday afternoon. Reale Arena is up against an opponent like the man from San Sebastian, who is vying for next season’s Champions League positions.

However, with pablo machine Elche clings to morality more than ever before. He’s the one who, since the arrival of the Soriano coach on the Franjiverde bench, has allowed him to beat Villarreal and hook Betis, the other two roosters of the Spanish league, giving him the level of competition. From moral victories in San Sebastián that leave a residue of satisfaction but zero points in the bag, examples that will make you believe you can step up to real victories that matter above all else.

The week was not easy for Machín, seeing how the two starting defenders fell in one move and how his striker was among the cotton pads.. Boyé, who wasn’t Vinicius but also got hits, was given special attention to be able to come to the game this Sunday. The Argentine came on call and hopes to lift the thorn in his performance against Valladolid the day he missed the only goal.

There will be mandatory changes at the rear because neither Enzo Roco nor Magallán are present.. These are the two casualties from the team, along with suspended Pere Milla and Cheikh, as well as those of Álex Collado and John, who attended group sessions this week but did not travel to the Basque Country.

Faced with a tenth realignment of the defense system, Machín has the option to rank the top five to win in Mallorca, but the Balearic offensive players do not have the same qualifications as San Sebastian’s. In this sense, Bigas’ return seems quite certain, while captains Gonzalo Verdú and Diego González oppose the libero position. However, no significant changes are expected in other positions. Tete Morente he could have gotten an award for his amazing second episode last Saturday.

The opponent is in crisis: won a match in their last 10 games

Real Sociedad are having their worst moment of the season, especially in terms of results. Imanol Alguacil’s men have only added one win in their last 10 matches in official competitions.

The only win came in Espanyol (2-3). The rest are the same fate against Mourinho’s Roma in the Europa League after four draws and two losses in the League (Valladolid and Valencia), a knockout against Barcelona in the Copa del Rey and a 2-0 loss in the Italian capital. it happened. He finished Thursday’s game goalless at San Sebastián.

In Real Sociedad, however, the main enemy seems to be time and fatigue.. The blue-whites put an end to the Roma away game in the Europa League with extra qualifiers late at night on Thursday. After being out of both European competitions and the Cup and worsening their performance in the League, they are not exactly at their highest morale points.

Without confirmed Mikel Merino and Carlos Fernández, Imanol Alguacil will have to find a solution, especially the loss of the first one, which is a key part of their plans. Everything indicates that Illarramendi will be chosen. They shouldn’t have too much trouble on offense because their options are wider and the sanctioned player is less important in their plans. Sorloth and Brais Méndez (9 and 7 goals) and the magic of Silva are presented as the main obstacles to making franchiverde morale a reality.

possible alignments

Royal Society: Remiro; Alone, Zubeldia, Le Normand, Diego Rico or Aihen Muñoz; Zubimendi, Illarramendi, Silva, Brais Mendez; Oyarzabal or Kubo and Sorloth. Other summoned: Zubiaurre, Barrenetxea, Cho, Guevara, Navarro, Gorosabel, Pacheco, Turrientes and Arana.

Elche: Edgar Badia; Palacios, Gonzalo Verdu, Bigas; Carmona, Gumbau, Mascarell, Fidel, Clerc; Boyé and Nteka or Ponce. The rest of those called: Werner, Blanco, Diego González, Pol Lirola, Raúl Guti, Tete Morente, Josan and Nico.