CD Eldense vs Real Sociedad — Match Preview
A potential “Copa” upset is brewing at the Estadio Nuevo Pepico Amat on Tuesday, 16 December 2025. CD Eldense, competing in the Primera Federación (3rd tier), welcome a Real Sociedad side in crisis. The hosts are fresh off a 1–0 league win over Tarazona and will look to exploit a La Real team that has lost three of its last four La Liga games, including a demoralizing home defeat to Girona. For the visitors, this competition offers a vital distraction from their league struggles (sitting 15th), but a slip-up here could put Imanol Alguacil’s job in serious jeopardy.
CD Eldense vs Real Sociedad — Match Info
- Competition: Copa del Rey (Round of 32)
- Venue: Estadio Nuevo Pepico Amat, Elda (Capacity: 5,776)
- Date: Tuesday, 16 December 2025
- Kickoff: 21:00 CET | 20:00 GMT | 15:00 ET
- Referee: TBC (RFEF Appointment)
CD Eldense vs Real Sociedad — Match Stakes
CD Eldense (Primera Federación):
- Win → Historic giant-killing; advances to Last 16 for a potential blockbuster tie
- Loss → Exit with heads held high; focus returns to promotion playoff push
Real Sociedad (La Liga):
- Win → Restores confidence; keeps the only realistic path to silverware alive
- Loss → A catastrophic result; heaps immense pressure on the manager and squad
- Draw (at 90′) → Forces Extra Time/Pens; further fatigue for an already thin squad
CD Eldense vs Real Sociedad — Team News
CD Eldense:
- Salazar I. — Out (Cruciate Ligament Injury)
- Dumic D. — Questionable (Physical Discomfort)
- Likely to field their strongest possible XI to chase the upset.
Real Sociedad:
- Oyarzabal M. — Out (Hamstring Injury – Captain Missing)
- Herrera Y. — Out (Calf Injury)
- Oskarsson O. — Out (Thigh Injury)
- Traore H. — Out (Knee Injury)
- Rotation Alert: Expect fringe players like Turrientes, Odriozola, and Sadiq to start.
CD Eldense vs Real Sociedad — Team Form (Last 5 Matches)
CD Eldense
- 13/12 — 1–0 vs Tarazona (League)
- 06/12 — 1–1 vs Alcorcon (League)
- 04/12 — 2–1 vs Almeria (Copa del Rey)
- 30/11 — 1–3 vs Antequera (League)
- 23/11 — 0–0 vs FC Cartagena (League)
Real Sociedad
- 13/12 — 1–2 vs Girona (La Liga)
- 06/12 — 0–1 vs Alaves (La Liga)
- 04/12 — 2–0 vs Reus FCR (Copa del Rey)
- 30/11 — 2–3 vs Villarreal (La Liga)
- 22/11 — 3–1 vs Osasuna (La Liga)
CD Eldense vs Real Sociedad — Head-to-Head
- No previous competitive meetings found between the first teams.
- Note: CD Eldense has faced Real Sociedad B (Sanse) in the lower divisions, but this is a first-time clash with the senior side.
CD Eldense vs Real Sociedad — Playing XI (Predicted Lineups)
CD Eldense (4-4-2)
Mackay; Abad, Piña, Monsalve, Mateu; Chapela, Ortuño, Timor, Jorquera; Quintana, Juanto
Real Sociedad (4-3-3)
Marrero; Odriozola, Pacheco, Martin, Aihen; Turrientes, Urko, Marin; Magunazelaia, Sadiq, Becker
CD Eldense vs Real Sociedad — Impact Bench
CD Eldense: Cris Montes (Set-piece threat), Bernal (Midfield control)
Real Sociedad: Kubo (Game breaker), Brais Mendez (Creativity), Zubimendi (Emergency control)
CD Eldense vs Real Sociedad — Tactical Analysis
CD Eldense
The hosts will set up in a compact 4-4-2 low block, looking to frustrate Real Sociedad’s slow buildup. They will target the space behind Álvaro Odriozola on the counter-attack. Set-pieces will be a major weapon, as La Real have been vulnerable defending aerial balls this season.
Real Sociedad
Imanol’s side dominates possession but struggles to convert (sterile dominance). Without Oyarzabal, the burden falls on Umar Sadiq to find his finishing boots. They will try to widen the pitch with Sheraldo Becker’s pace but must be wary of Eldense’s transitions. The artificial-style intensity of a lower-league ground often unsettles their technical midfielders.
CD Eldense vs Real Sociedad — Key Battles
- Timor vs Turrientes — veteran grit vs academy technique in midfield
- Sadiq vs Piña — physical battle in the box; Sadiq must hold the ball up
- Mateu vs Odriozola — flank battle; can the Eldense fullback expose Odriozola’s defending?
- Mackay vs The Occasion — Eldense keeper needs a big performance
CD Eldense vs Real Sociedad — Spotlight Players
CD Eldense — Juanto Ortuño
The experienced striker knows how to score in these divisions. If he gets one chance in the box, he has the composure to punish a shaky La Liga defense.
Real Sociedad — Umar Sadiq
The Nigerian striker is under immense scrutiny. With goals drying up for the team, he needs a dominant performance against 3rd-tier opposition to regain confidence and silence the critics.
CD Eldense vs Real Sociedad — Prediction
CD Eldense 1–2 Real Sociedad (AET)
Real Sociedad are vulnerable, and Eldense will push them all the way in a hostile atmosphere. Expect a nervy 1–1 draw in normal time, with La Real’s superior fitness and quality off the bench (Kubo/Brais) sneaking a win in extra time.
CD Eldense vs Real Sociedad — Betting Insights
- Both Teams to Score — YES (La Real have conceded in 4 of last 5)
- Real Sociedad to Win — Low Value (Too risky given form)
- Under 2.5 Goals (90 mins) — Likely
CD Eldense vs Real Sociedad — Where to Watch
- Spain: Movistar+, Copa del Rey TV
- USA: ESPN+
- International: Check local listings (RFEF partners)
CD Eldense vs Real Sociedad — FAQs
Q: When is the CD Eldense vs Real Sociedad match?
A: The match kicks off on Tuesday, 16 December 2025, at 21:00 CET.
Q: Is Mikel Oyarzabal playing?
A: No. The Real Sociedad captain is out with a hamstring injury until late December.
Q: Where is the match being played?
A: At Estadio Nuevo Pepico Amat in Elda, Alicante.
Q: Have they played each other before?
A: No, this is the first competitive meeting between the senior sides.
Call to Action — SportsphereArena Community
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