Real Sociedad vs Espanyol: matchday 3 at Anoeta

Here is what the Spanish outlets are reporting today: Real Sociedad face RCD Espanyol on Saturday 29 August 2026 at the Anoeta stadium in San Sebastián, for matchday 3 of LaLiga EA Sports 2026-27. According to Real Sociedad's official website, in a piece headlined "Anoeta espera", this is the club's first home game of the season, and the hosts are openly counting on their crowd's backing after a rough opening. The same official note stays qualitative on the expected turnout, mentioning "the support of the public" without putting a figure on it.

The numbers explain why this matters. Aggregated results relayed via besoccer and fotmob show Real Sociedad have taken no points from two matchdays: a 0-1 home loss to Real Betis on 21 August 2026, then a 1-4 defeat at Real Madrid on 26 August 2026, five goals conceded in two games. Espanyol arrive in a very different mood: lagrada.org, in its matchday 3 preview, credits them with 3 points thanks to a 3-0 win over Levante before a 1-2 loss to Real Madrid. So the pointless hosts meet a side that has already tasted victory.

On the team sheets, the specialist press lines up broadly the same picture. Jornada Perfecta and La Grada expect Real Sociedad in a 4-2-3-1 with Remiro, Aramburu, Aihen Muñoz, Zubeldia and Jon Martín behind Turrientes, Yangel Herrera, Kubo, Guedes, Carlos Soler and Oyarzabal, while Espanyol are tipped to set up in a 4-4-2. Those same outlets add the injury news that shapes both benches: Real Sociedad are without Pablo Marín (muscle injury) and Álvaro Odriozola (cruciate ligament rupture), while Espanyol are missing Leandro Cabrera (serving the third and last game of his ban), Kike García (operated on for a torn hamstring) and Javi Puado (still recovering from a cruciate ligament rupture).

One practical detail the reviews do not fully agree on: the kick-off time. Most of the aggregated sources consulted (jornadaperfecta.com, el1900.com) point to 19:00, but one isolated source lists 13:00, and the exact time could not be settled with certainty, so check locally before you tune in. On the broadcast question there is less doubt: el1900.com reports the game will air on Movistar+ (the Movistar LaLigaTV channel). Between a host desperate for its first point and a visitor riding early momentum, it is easy to see why the fixture is climbing the Spanish sports conversation today.

Sources : Real Sociedad (official site), La Grada (lagrada.org), Jornada Perfecta, el1900.com, BeSoccer, FotMob, Google Trends.