Can Deportivo Alavés defy form and halt Real Sociedad’s Basque momentum in the Copa del Rey?

Entering the quarter-finals of the 2025-26 Copa del Rey, Alavés vs Real Sociedad carries an intriguing subtext beyond knockouts: both sides embody Basque pride but travel different tactical paths. Alavés have shown gritty defensive resolve at Mendizorroza, while Real Sociedad arrive with wider possession profiles and varied attacking angles. This midweek meeting also reflects how both sets of injuries have reshaped rotations, particularly in wide areas and midfield creativity, with strategic tweaks expected early on. Amid pre-match analysis, pundits have highlighted that every small turnover and transition phase could prove decisive given both teams’ recent balance in cup ties.

Deportivo Alavés – Injury & Availability

Real Sociedad – Injury & Availability

Starting Lineups & Key Personnel

As the teams prepare tactically, the Basque derby flavour adds spice to system choices: Alavés manager Eduardo Coudet may prioritize compact midfield transitions and overloads down the flank to compensate for reduced depth following injuries, whereas Real Sociedad’s Imanol Alguacil could lean on structural possession and quick vertical combinations through Soler and Méndez. Press focus has underlined that Alavés’ unbeaten defensive shape in recent cup ties could counterbalance Sociedad’s technical coherence, especially if the visitors lack full attacking rhythm. With so much regional pride and cup history at stake, expect meticulous positional play early on and sparks of intensity every time the ball enters wide zones.

Watch and Download Alavés vs Real Sociedad full match replay and highlights, At Wednesday 4 February 2026. The match played at Estadio de Mendizorroza, in Copa del Rey, Spain.

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