Real Sociedad vs Mirandes Predictions

• Sociedad are the joint-second highest scorers at home in La Liga this season.
• Real Sociedad last lost to a lower-division side at home in this competition back in 2017.
• Mirandes have got through against not one, not two but three top-tier sides to reach the semi-finals of this competition.

Banana skin avoidance for hosts

Sociedad have the chance to reach the Copa del Rey final for the first time since 1988 and yet this first leg is still something of a lose-lose. Sociedad will earn few plaudits for beating second-division opposition at home, but they’ll come in for all manner of criticism should they lose. The pressure is well and truly on.

In terms of recent results, Sociedad come into this game is good shape. They earned a famous victory over Real to reach this stage of the competition last week, while they followed up by beating Bilbao at the weekend. Their form is also strong at home, with Sociedad winning each of their last four at this venue, scoring ten goals and conceding just two in the process. The fact that Wednesday’s hosts are also the joint-second-top scorers at home in La Liga also bodes well ahead of a match against second division opposition.

One thing that may go against the host here is that they’ve not had any experience against second division teams on route to the semis. On the face it, the fact that they’ve played only La Liga sides seems like a positive, though a lack of dealing with the heavy favouritism that facing lower-level opposition inevitably brings isn’t ideal.

Giant killers go again

While Sociedad haven’t warmed up against Segunda opposition, Mirandes have had no shortage of games against top-tier opponents. At every turn, the second-tier visitors have been up against teams from Spain’s highest level and they’ve acquitted themselves mightily well.

One victory against La Liga opposition can be categorised as fortunate, possibly even two, but three? Not so much. Mirandes have got to this level on merit, and what has been particularly impressive is their willingness to tussle with teams. Naturally, against Celta Vigo, Sevilla and Villarreal, the second-division side had the minority share of possession, but they didn’t just sit back and hold on for dear life. Instead, they were brave on the ball, got forward regularly and created plenty of chances. In fact, in each of those three matches, Mirandes were the more creative side.

Goals on the cards

Based on what we’ve seen from this pair over the course of the competition, ‘Both Teams to Score’ stands out. For all Mirandes deservedly scored against Celta, Sevilla and Villarreal, they didn’t exactly keep things ultra-tight at the back, conceding in each of those three matches. Their offensive efforts against their previous opponents absolutely suggest that they can leave their mark offensively, but can they keep out one of the best attacks in the country? Almost certainly not. Add in that both teams have found the net in eight of Sociedad’s last nine home games and a wager on both teams to find the net on Wednesday night seems merited.