Preview: Real Sociedad vs Villarreal – prediction, team news, lineups

Two teams in strong form will face off in an intriguing La Liga contest on Sunday afternoon, with Real Sociedad welcoming Villarreal to the Anoeta Stadium.

The hosts are in ninth place la liga tableHaving gained 16 points from their first 13 games of the season, the Yellow Submarine are placed third, claiming 29 points from 13 games.

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match preview

Real Sociedad have a record of four wins, four draws and five losses in the opening 13 league games of the season, leaving them ninth in the division with 16 points, five points behind sixth-placed Espanyol and 12 behind fourth-placed Atlético Madrid.

The Basque side have had a poor start to the season, but they have been in strong form of late, winning three of their last four in La Liga and going unbeaten in the process, while having won four of their last five games in all competitions.

Sergio Francisco’s side go into this match on the back of a 3-1 win over Osasuna, while they had a 3-2 win over Athletic Bilbao in the Basque derby earlier in the month.

La Real have collected 10 points from their six home league matches this season, and they will take on Villarreal, the team with the fourth-best record in the division, having claimed 10 points from their six matches away from their own stadium.

Real Sociedad have won 15 of their last 51 matches against Villarreal in all competitions, suffering 20 defeats in the process.

Villarreal have actually won only one of their last four matches against Real Sociedad, a 3–1 success in the corresponding game during the 2023–24 campaign.

The Yellow Submarine will enter this game on the back of a 4–0 defeat to Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League, a result which leaves them 34th in the overall table, having managed to pick up just one point from five matches.

However, Marcelino’s side have impressed in La Liga and have collected 29 points from 13 matches with a record of nine wins, two draws and two losses, leaving them third in the table and just three points behind leaders Real Madrid.

Villarreal are in the title race at this stage of proceedings, and have the joint-best defensive record in La Liga this season, having conceded just 11 times, the same as fourth-placed Atletico Madrid.

The Yellow Submarine beat Mallorca 2-1 in La Liga last time out, and they are actually on a four-game winning run in the top flight of Spanish football.

Real Sociedad La Liga Form:

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Real Sociedad form (all competitions):

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Villarreal La Liga form:

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Villarreal form (all competitions):

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team news

Real Sociedad will be without the services of several key players due to injury, with Orri Oskarsson, Mikel Oyarzabal, Yangel Herrera, John Karrikaburu and Iñaki Ruperez unavailable for selection, while Igor Zubeldia is also a major doubt.

Oyarzabal’s injury is a major blow for the Basque team, with the Spain international the team’s biggest threat, scoring five goals and registering three assists in 14 matches.

Goncalo Guedes is expected to feature in the middle for Real Sociedad, while Takefusa Kubo is also expected to find a place in a wide area.

As far as Villarreal is concerned, Logan Costa, Willy Kambwala and Pau Cabanes will miss the match due to injury, but the Yellow Submarine have no new worries.

Juan Foyth was sent off against Dortmund last time out, but his ban only relates to the Champions League, so the centre-back will be here from the start.

Head coach Marcelino will make changes to the team that started against Dortmund, with Gerard Moreno and Georges Mikoutadze joining the final third of the field, with Nicolas Pepe likely to drop into the wide positions.

Real Sociedad probable starting lineup:

Ramiro; Aramburu, Caleta-Carr, Martin, Gomez; Kubo, Mendez, Gorotxategi, Soler, Barenetaxia; guedes

Villarreal probable starting lineup:

junior; Mourino, Veiga, Foyth, Pedraza; Pepe, Partey, Comesana, Moleiro; G Moreno, Mikoutadze

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