Real Sociedad will be looking to extend their run of good and winning form when they host Villarreal at the Estadio Anoeta on Sunday at 17:30 GMT.
With a solitary separating the two sides on the table, this clash will be crucial in determining the position of these sides and bolstering their chances of climbing the table and challenging the top four.
Match Preview
Can Real Sociedad Continue in their Winning Run?
Imanol Alguacil’s charges will be looking to extend their good form as they look for a third La Liga triumph on the trot, as they step up their bid to climb the table and challenge for top-four places.
Sociedad will be looking to retain the balance of their play that has seen them score 12 goals. Although they have conceded 11 goals, they have bolstered their ability to outscore their opponents and win points.
Alguacil will look to retain this balance as he seeks to bolster his side’s ability to maintain high-level performances and win the three points they need.
Can Villarreal Regain their Winning Form After a Run of Three Without Victory?
Villarreal will be looking to get back to taking three points when they face Real Sociedad on Sunday. After a sterling start to the season, Unai Emery’s side have been in a bad patch in recent matches.
They are currently on a bad patch comprising three reversus, and Emery will be keen to regain their winning midas touch when they face Sociedad. The focus for Villarreal will be to re-capture the form that had them flying early on in the season.
Their three wins and three draws in seven outings mean that the Yellow Submarines need to bolster their defensive and attacking shapes as they look to take all three points on Sunday.
Form Guide
Real Sociedad
Sociedad have managed four triumphs in this season’s seven La Liga matches; they have drawn once and lost two times in this run. They have hauled 13 points out of the available 21. Sociedad currently sit 7th on the table; they are two points adrift Real Betis on fourth.
In the last five matches in La Liga, Alguacil’s charges have won three times, drawn once, and lost once. They have collected 10 points and dropped five in the process.
Sociedad have won their last two matches at home to Espanyol (2-1) and away to Girona (3-5). Alguacil will be looking to extend this run with a win on Sunday.
Villarreal
Unai Emery’s men have seen their form drop off after a sterling start to the season. In seven outings, they have won three times, drawn three fixtures, and had one loss.
They have amassed 12 points out of the available 21 at the beginning of the La Liga season. Emery’s men currently sit 8th on the table and they are three points adrift the side occupying fourth spot – Real Betis – the last Champions League spot.
In the last five fixtures, Villarreal have won once, drawn three times, and lost once. They have hauled just six points, which means they have dropped nine in the process. Emery will be looking to get his side back to winning ways.
Possible Starting Lineups
Real Sociedad
Alex Remiro; A. Munoz, J. Pacheco, A. Elustondo, A. Gorosabel; D. Silva, M. Merino, M. Zubimendi, B. Mendez; A. Sorloth, T. Kubo
Villarreal
Rulli; Alfonso, P. Torres, R. Albiol, K. Femenia; F. Coquelin, D. Parejo, E. Capoue, G. Lo Celso; N. Jackson, A. Baena
Players to Watch
A. Sorloth
Sorloth has been integral to Real Sociedad’s season so far in La Liga and the Europa League. The 26-year-old Norwegian has scored three goals in four La Liga appearances and one goal in two Europa League appearances.
The striker is important in leading the line, making runs behind the defensive line, dropping deeper to be involved in build-up play, and playing at the shoulder of the defender. He will be important for Sociedad in the clash with Villarreal.
A. Baena
The Spanish youngster has scored three goals for Unai Emery’s men in seven appearances.
The 21-year-old has scored twice in the Europa League this term as well, underscoring his importance to the team. He will be integral to Villarreal’s chances of winning the clash with Sociedad on Sunday.
Prediction
Real Sociedad will seek to keep the ball, play on the front foot, and dominate their opponents on Sunday.
Villarreal will focus on compactness and make it difficult for Sociedad’s attackers to find space to attack.
Villarreal will win this match and get the three points they desperately need.
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