Real Sociedad return to the Reale Arena on Thursday looking to turn their first victory of the La Liga season into the beginning of a sustained run when Celta Vigo visit San Sebastián.

Pellegrino Matarazzo’s side recovered from a difficult opening schedule by beating Espanyol 2-1 at the weekend, while Celta arrive still searching for their first victory after collecting a single point from three matches. The visitors’ lack of attacking output has been particularly concerning ahead of a trip to a ground where Sociedad have become increasingly difficult to beat.

Matarazzo beginning to make the Reale Arena count

Real Sociedad’s league position after three matches does not tell the entire story of their start.

Opening with consecutive away fixtures against Real Betis and Real Madrid presented Matarazzo with an unforgiving schedule, and Sociedad lost both. Their first opportunity on home soil produced a very different outcome.

Espanyol were beaten 2-1, with Mikel Oyarzabal creating both goals for Ander Barrenetxea and Orri Óskarsson. It was a timely result for a team attempting to build on last season’s Copa del Rey triumph while improving significantly on a 10th-place league finish.

That cup success ensured Matarazzo’s first months in San Sebastián ended with silverware. His next task is to establish the consistency required to move Sociedad back towards the upper reaches of La Liga, and their performances at the Reale Arena may be central to achieving it.

Since taking charge, Matarazzo has lost only twice in 12 home league fixtures, winning six and drawing four. That record gives Sociedad a dependable foundation even when results away from home prove less predictable.

There is also an encouraging recent history against Thursday’s opponents. Sociedad are unbeaten in eight meetings with Celta, winning six of them, while Oyarzabal scored twice when the Basques recorded a 3-1 home victory in this fixture in January.

The Spain international remains the most influential figure in Sociedad’s attack even when he is not scoring himself. His two assists against Espanyol demonstrated how effectively he can connect the various parts of Matarazzo’s forward line.

Some rotation is possible during a busy early-season schedule. Yangel Herrera and Take Kubo are candidates to come into the starting XI, while new signing Héctor Fort should be available after completing his move from Barcelona.

Álvaro Odriozola remains a long-term absentee and Pablo Marín is unlikely to recover from his hamstring problem in time.

Celta’s European ambitions have met an early reality check

Celta entered the campaign hoping to consolidate their return to European competition. Three matches later, Claudio Giráldez already has several problems demanding attention.

A goalless opening draw against Valencia was followed by defeats to Osasuna and Athletic Club, leaving Celta with one point and just one goal to show for their efforts.

The Osasuna defeat was particularly frustrating. Celta had moved ahead before Marcos Alonso’s dismissal altered the course of the match, eventually losing 2-1. Alonso served his suspension during Sunday’s 2-0 defeat to Athletic and should return to the back three in San Sebastián.

The larger concern is not simply the results but how little Celta have created. Seven shots on target across three league games illustrates their difficulty in consistently threatening opposing goalkeepers. Only two La Liga teams have registered fewer, and the absence of Borja Iglesias has further reduced Giráldez’s options in the penalty area.

The Spain striker has missed the previous two matches with a muscle injury and remains unavailable. New arrival Couhaib Driouech could make his first appearance in the matchday squad following his transfer from PSV Eindhoven, although a starting role appears unlikely immediately.

Celta therefore need more from the attacking players already available. Their possession has to translate into penetration rather than merely control in areas where Sociedad are comfortable defending.

Curiously, Celta’s problems stretch beyond this season without being entirely straightforward. Their home form has been particularly poor over the longer term, but Thursday takes them away from Balaídos. Even so, the Reale Arena presents its own challenge: they have won only once on their last six league visits to Sociedad.

For a team already short of confidence in front of goal, conceding first could make the evening especially difficult.

Verdict: Sociedad have the clearer route to victory

Neither team’s opening three matches provide enough evidence for sweeping conclusions, but Sociedad currently have more pieces in place.

Their defeats came during two demanding away assignments, and their first match back in San Sebastián immediately produced a victory. More importantly, Matarazzo has established a strong record at the Reale Arena over a much larger sample than this season alone.

Celta’s situation is less reassuring. One goal from three matches and only seven efforts on target point towards a genuine attacking problem rather than simple misfortune, particularly with Iglesias still unavailable.

The return of Alonso should strengthen the visitors defensively, and Sociedad may need patience rather than expecting to dominate from the outset. Oyarzabal’s creativity and the hosts’ greater variety in the final third, however, give them more ways to decide a close contest.

With Sociedad increasingly reliable on their own ground and Celta still searching for an attacking formula, the Basques are well placed to make it successive victories.

Tip

Real Sociedad to win.