COULD David Moyes’ Sociedad side slip up when they face Oviedo in Thursday night’s Copa del Rey clash? Mark O’Haire (@MarkOHaire) examines the best bets.
Real Oviedo v Real Sociedad | Thursday 19.00 | Sky Sports 5
Remember Real Oviedo? Of course you do. The Asturias club were a mainstay in La Liga until 2001 before hitting the global headlines just two years ago as the Blues almost went out of business.
A brilliant PR campaign saved the club and now Oviedo are making small steps to recovery and enjoying a fruitful season in the Spanish third tier. Sergio Egea’s side top the Segunda B table and call upon an almost record at their Carlos Tartiere’s stadium this season (W7-D1-L1).
On Thursday evening the city and fans will be out in force to cheer on the Blues as they face-off against David Moyes’ Sociedad. And there’s a realistic chance of an upset too.
Despite claiming he’s keen to enjoy a cup run after arriving in San Sebastian, Moyes has left 10 of his first-team squad behind, including Friday night’s hat-trick hero Carlos Vela.
La Real have failed to win away since beating Aberdeen in a Europa League qualifier way back in early August and hold a wretched record on the road in Copa del Rey football, suffering eight losses in 11 and winning just twice in 13 away days.
The Basques may have recorded back-to-back clean sheets since Moyes took charge and arrive in Asturias on their best run of the season (three games unbeaten) but expect the Tartiere to be rocking as Oviedo hunt a cup upset.
Oviedo have hit 28 goals in nine matches in front of their home fans this season and can be backed at 5/6 with a +1 start in the Asian Handicap market at BetVictor. With this selection, we’ll be in profit if the hosts win or draw and even get our stake returned with Sociedad win by a solitary goal.
It’s also worth checking out Oviedo hitman Miguel Linares. SkyBet have made the striker an 11/4 shot to score at anytime – he’s already notched 18 goals in 15 appearances for the Blues.
Best Bets
Real Oviedo v Real Socieadad – Oviedo +1 Asian Handicap (5/6 BetVictor)
