As a return to Premier League action edges closer, Bournemouth are set to host Real Sociedad for back-to-back friendly clashes at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday.
The Cherries will be looking to bounce back after two consecutive losses, while Txuri-Urdin could make it four - or five - games unbeaten this weekend.
Match preview
Andoni Iraola's Bournemouth came close to qualifying for European football in 2024-25, and they will be desperate to avoid missing out this time around.
The Cherries ended the top-flight campaign in ninth place with 56 points, and though they finished nine behind seventh-placed Nottingham Forest, a dire run of form that saw them lose six, draw four and win just three of their last 13 league games undermined their otherwise excellent season.
In preparation for next week's Premier League kick-off against Liverpool, Iraola's side started their pre-season schedule with three straight wins over Hibernian, Bristol City and Everton, but they have since been beaten by both Manchester United and, most recently, West Ham United.
Hoping to regain some momentum, the hosts are playing Sociedad at 11:15am and 5:15pm, and given that they have triumphed in three of their last four matches as the nominal home team, fans will be expecting a strong performance at the very least.
However, their opponents are regulars in UEFA competition, and considering that they are facing-off twice in one day, Bournemouth are likely to taste defeat at least once on Saturday.
Real Sociedad manager Sergio Francisco on July 30, 2025
Meanwhile, Sociedad also missed out on continental action last season, and they will be hoping that they can get back on track in 2025-26 after parting ways with head-coach Imanol Alguacil.
Sergio Francisco took the reins towards the end of May following an 11th-placed finish in La Liga that saw Txuri-Urdin sixth points short of Rayo Vallecano, who made the Conference League's playoff round.
With their sights set on the top eight, Francisco's men have performed strongly in pre-season, recording three wins, one draw and just one defeat across their five matches so far.
That being said, this weekend's trip to England's south coast will be their toughest test yet, and considering that the visitors have lost four of their last five games on the road, it remains to be seen whether they can maintain their off-season form.
If Sociedad can earn a positive result against the Premier League side in either clash, then they could go into their opening day game against Valencia on August 16 with bolstered confidence.
Bournemouth Club Friendlies form:
Bournemouth form (all competitions):
Real Sociedad Club Friendlies form:
Real Sociedad form (all competitions):
Team News
Bournemouth's Illya Zabarnyi in action on October 19, 2024
Bournemouth centre-back Illia Zabarnyi could sit out this weekend as talks about his potential transfer to Paris Saint-Germain intensify.
In his absence, Chris Mepham could line up alongside Marcos Senesi at the heart of Iraola's backline, flanked on either side by full-backs Adam Smith and Adrien Truffert.
As for Sociedad, Inaki Ruperez, Jon Pacheco, Artiz Elustondo could line up in a back three, with Mikel Goti Lopez and Luka Sucic starting as wing-backs.
In the centre of the park, Urko Gonzalez and Benat Turrientes will be looking to provide some stability for a frontline that could feature Mikel Oyarzabal, Gorka Carrera Zarranz and Sergio Gomez.
Bournemouth possible starting lineup:
Neto; Smith, Mepham, Senesi, Truffert; Adams, Scott; Brooks, Traore, Tavernier; Evanilson
Real Sociedad possible starting lineup:
Remiro; Ruperez, Pacheco, Elustondo; Goti, Gonzalez, Turrientes, Sucic; Oyarzabal, Zarranz, Gomez
SM words green background
We say: Bournemouth 2-1 Real Sociedad
Bournemouth may have lost back-to-back games ahead of this weekend, but they have performed strongly on their own turf.
In contrast, Sociedad have struggled on the road, and they may walk away from the Vitality disappointed on Saturday.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
ID:578814:1false2false3false: from db desktop :LenBod:collect10986:No Data Analysis info
Previews by email
Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!