The new LaLiga season kicks off with a fascinating fixture at the iconic Estadio Mestalla, where Valencia welcomes Real Sociedad on August 16 at 11:30pm East African Time. Both sides enter the 2025/26 campaign eager to secure an opening-day victory that could set the tone for their season.
Mixed Preparations for Both Teams
Valencia approach the season opener after a pre-season that produced mixed results. Their preparations ended on a high note with a 3-0 win over Torino, a match that boosted confidence among fans and players alike. However, inconsistency was evident earlier, with defeats to Borussia Moenchengladbach and Castellon, alongside draws against Marseille and Leganes. These results highlight the challenge of finding rhythm, something Valencia must quickly resolve if they are to begin their league campaign strongly.
Real Sociedad, on the other hand, managed to remain unbeaten in pre-season, though they were held to three consecutive draws in their most recent games against Bournemouth and Rennes. Their earlier displays were more encouraging, including a 4-1 victory over Osasuna and a 2-1 away win against Yokohama FC. While the Basque club showed attacking flair, the run of stalemates suggests room for improvement in turning possession into decisive results.
Head-to-Head at Mestalla
The history between these two sides promises a competitive clash. Valencia claimed a narrow 1-0 win at Mestalla in their last meeting, with Hugo Duro on target. However, Real Sociedad dominated the reverse fixture earlier in the year, winning 3-0 at the Reale Arena. The past five encounters underline the influence of home advantage, with four of those games won by the host team. That trend could play in Valencia’s favor as they look to capitalize on their home support in the season’s curtain-raiser.
What to Expect
With both sides targeting a strong start, the match is expected to be tightly contested. Valencia will rely on their home atmosphere and look to build momentum after an inconsistent pre-season. Real Sociedad will aim to extend their unbeaten run and demonstrate the attacking sharpness seen earlier in the summer. For both clubs, three points would not only mark a positive beginning but also signal intent in what is shaping up to be a highly competitive LaLiga season.
