There are a quartet of La Liga games across Saturday and first to draw swords will be Real Sociedad and Mallorca at the Reale Arena as the hosts look to get their excellent start to the season back on track.

Sociedad suffered just their second La Liga loss of the season last time out, going down 2-1 to Atletico Madrid in the Spanish capital. They remain on the heels of the European spots, however, in sixth entering the weekend.

It’s been a different story for Mallorca. They’ve proved a tough nut to crack at times but just one win from nine games – and none in their last four – means they are only two points above the relegation zone as La Liga begins Week 10.

Team News

Striker Andre Silva is now on the long-term absentee list for Sociedad and it could be Christmas before he’s back in the fold.

Manager Imanol Alguacil is sweating on the fitness of French U21 international Mohamed-Ali Cho, though good news is that Alvaro Odriozola returns from his injury and is available for selection.

For the visitors, a decision will have to be made on Giovanni Gonzalez, who played on Tuesday evening for Uruguay against Brazil in a Copa America qualifier.

Summer arrival Sergi Darder went off injured in the 1-1 draw at home to Valencia before the international break and remains a doubt for this Saturday lunchtime encounter.

Match Odds 

Real Sociedad are favoured at 8/15 to collect all three points on home turf, while Mallorca are as big as 6/1 despite their only La Liga win of the season so far coming on the road at Celta Vigo.

Los Piratas have been the draw specialists so far this season in Spain’s top-flight with five and another stalemate is priced at 11/4.

Real Sociedad Half Time / Full Time @ 7/5

Mallorca’s record in this fixture is decidedly poor. They have lost their last 11 games in all competitions at this venue and have failed to even score in the last eight.

There’s a temptation to back Real Sociedad to win to nil at 11/10, but a momentary lapse in concentration or a flash of brilliance could scupper that outcome and Mallorca have scored eight goals in their last four La Liga games despite failing to get any wins.

Instead, backing the home side to lead at Half Time/Full Time appeals at a more generous 7/5.

Real Sociedad have led at half-time in four of their five wins this season across all competitions. They also scored after just two minutes in the 4-3 win over Getafe here in September but had to turn around a half-time deficit in that game.

In their most recent success, Mikel Oyarzabal put them in front after seven minutes in the Champions League away-day at Salzburg and they were comfortable winners having led 2-0 at the break.

With their strong home record against a Mallorca side that is finding it hard to win, the additional value compared to the odds on offer on a home win is worth taking.

Over 2.5 Goals @ 11/8

As noted, Mallorca have been scoring goals without getting wins lately. They hit three in a defeat at Girona and have since managed to find the net seven times in draws with Barcelona, Rayo Vallecano and Valencia.

Real Sociedad are unbeaten in five La Liga games in San Sebastian this season. After a pair of 1-1 draws with Girona and Celta Vigo, they’ve won their last three but it hasn’t been plain sailing.

Those wins have come against Grenada (5-3), Getafe (4-3) and impressively when they inflicted Athletic Bilbao’s only league defeat so far last time, winning 3-0.

Both teams carry a goal threat and Over 2.5 Goals can land in this La Liga clash.