- Core Players & Star Quality
Real Oviedo
- Squad reshaped: arrivals like Luka Ilić, Josip Brekalo, Leander Dendoncker, and Eric Bailly provide proven La Liga/European experience.
- Core attackers remain thin after losing Sebas Moyano (LW) and Paraschiv (CF), leaving creativity heavily reliant on Ilić and Brekalo.
- Dendoncker adds midfield resilience, while Bailly offers leadership in defense but carries injury risk.
- Overall: More balance than last season but still searching for a reliable 15-goal forward.
Real Sociedad
- Established stars: Oyarzabal (9G, 3A, 2,263 mins), Takefusa Kubo (5G), and Brais Méndez (3G, 2A) drive attack.
- Zubimendi (2G, 1A, 2,962 mins) anchors midfield (though he has left), leaving defensive-midfield control thinner.
- Defensive solidity: Álex Remiro (36 starts), Zubeldia, and Aguerd form a strong spine.
- Oyarzabal + Kubo combo provides greater cutting edge than any Oviedo pairing.
- Departures Impact
Real Oviedo
- Loss of Sebas Moyano (wing goals), Paulino (RW), Paraschiv (CF) weakens forward line depth.
- Midfield rotations like Yayo González and Álex Cardero gone, requiring immediate impact from new arrivals.
- Impact: creative & scoring void, partially patched by Brekalo & Ilić but pressure high on them.
Real Sociedad
- Zubimendi and Aguerd departures are major losses → midfield anchor and defensive organiser missing.
- Also gone: David Silva (retired earlier), De Paul not present anymore → less creativity in central zones.
- Impact: weakened midfield control, though still strong attack.
- New Player Integration
Real Oviedo
- Brekalo (LW, €3.3m): expected to be first-choice creator on the left.
- Dendoncker (€4.5m): experienced EPL/Belgian midfielder, expected starter in pivot.
- Ilić (€2m): advanced midfielder, links with Brekalo.
- Bailly (CB, €2m): depth and leadership but fitness remains a gamble.
- Overall: smart mid-level investments; likely to stabilize but not transform.
Real Sociedad
- Gonçalo Guedes (2G, 4A) adds depth as wide attacker.
- Duje Ćaleta-Car & Nayef Aguerd departures offset by youth like Pacheco and Martín.
- Umar Sadiq (returning from injury, 224 mins) still adapting.
- Orri Óskarsson (3G) an emerging option up front.
- Overall: reinforcements exist, but none fully replace Zubimendi’s defensive midfield role.
- Assists & Goals Output
Real Oviedo
- Reliant on Kike García-style veteran profile missing; currently no proven scorer above 10+ league goals.
- Brekalo can provide 5–7 goals, Ilić perhaps 3–5.
- Lacking consistent second-line scorers.
Real Sociedad
- Oyarzabal (9G), Kubo (5G), Álvarez-like output now absent, but still more diverse attack.
- Brais + Becker + Guedes spread contributions across multiple players.
- Real Sociedad significantly outscore Oviedo in every department.
- Substitutes’ Experience & Depth
Real Oviedo
- Subs include Reina (CM), Dominguès (AM), Chaira (LW) → decent squad fillers, but unproven La Liga game-changers.
- Bench goal threat very low.
Real Sociedad
- Sheraldo Becker (2G, 1A), Ander Barrenetxea (1G, 3A), and Orri Óskarsson (3G) provide lively impact.
- Defensive subs like Aritz Elustondo and Pacheco are reliable.
- Depth advantage: heavily in Sociedad’s favour.
- Forecast & Expected Dynamics
- Sociedad Advantage: superior firepower (Oyarzabal + Kubo + Méndez), defensive stability, and a deeper bench.
- Oviedo Challenge: integrate many new signings quickly; lack of proven scorers means they must defend compactly and rely on Brekalo’s creativity.
- Likely Flow: Sociedad dictate possession (60–65%), Oviedo looking to counter via Ilić–Brekalo link-ups.
- Predicted Strength Balance
- Real Oviedo: ★★☆☆☆ (Below average) — improved squad structure but missing elite scorers; will struggle to break down top sides.
- Real Sociedad: ★★★★☆ (Strong) — high attacking variety, strong goalkeeper, but weakened slightly in midfield without Zubimendi.
Projected Result: Real Sociedad win (likely 2–0 or 2–1), with Oviedo competitive defensively but short on attacking edge.
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