Prediction: Real Sociedad vs Villarreal

Verdict: Real Sociedad win

Best odds: 1.73

Bookmaker: ZetBet

Real Sociedad are hosting Villarreal on Friday night looking for a win to keep their top-4 finish hopes alive. The match will be played at Reale Arena from San Sebastian. More than 30,000 fans are expected to support the home side.

Real Sociedad

Imanol Alguacil had a strange spell this season. Sociedad went from finishing undefeated in a Champions League group with Italy champions Inter to dropping too many points in La Liga. The lack of consistency displayed in La Liga saw the hosts out of the top 4.

Furthermore, the Basques dropped down the table despite suffering only 5 defeats in 25 La Liga games. Repeated injuries hit the team all season with key players being out for many games. Fans must be very disappointed this term seeing their favourites winning only 5  La Liga games at Reale Arena. 

The lack of quality was felt on the pitch where the hosts managed only 4 wins in their last 9 games. Sociedad was not able to finish the job in many situations. Despite taking the lead, an unexpected 2nd meltdown allowed opponents to get back in the game.

However, Real Sociedad has shown some recovery signs lately. Following the 2-0 defeat suffered in Paris, the hosts went on to win a crucial away game at Mallorca (1-2 final score). The 2 sides will meet again in the 2nd leg of the Copa del Rey semifinal, leaving the qualification opened after a 0-0 1st leg stalemate.

Team News

Imanol Alguacil is facing a major injury crisis with several key players being out. Aihen Munoz and Carlso Fernadez are not expected to play again this season. Right back Alvaro Odriozola and centre forward Sheraldo Becker are expected to make a return in March.

The medical staff is working hard on Kieran Tierney’s recovery following his hamstring injury. John Paceko, the young centre-back, is at risk of suspension.

Villarreal

Villarreal are having a disastrous season. The former regular Champions League side is falling behind, season after season. With only 26 points from 25 games, the Yellow Submarine is 13th in La Liga, 9 points from drop out zone. However, appointing Marcelino as the new manager was an excellent decision taken by the club.

He took over the reins for the 2nd time in mid-November last year turning the situation around. Villarreal managed to be undefeated in 17 of their 24 games played under his reign. His most impressive win was a 5-3 trashing of Barcelona.

Villarreal lacked consistency this period going from impressive wins to inexplicable falls. Following the shock away win at Barcelona, the visitors disappointed their fans by drawing at Alaves (1-1 final score). Later on, they replicated the same dreadful performance against Getafe.

This proves that Marcelino’s side was not able to kill the game by scoring the 2nd goal, despite the many chances created. However, Villarreal does have an advantage in front of Sociedad in the head-to-head encounters losing only one of their last 5 games. Nevertheless, this time it looks like history will not repeat itself.

 Team News

Villarreal is facing a major injury crisis with 5 players being unable to make the trip to San Sebastian. Yeremi Pinno and Denis Suarez are out for the rest of the season after suffering terrible injuries. However, Juan Foyth is expected to return at the end of March.

Defensive midfield Ramon Terrats and left back Alfonso Pedraza will be out of the squad that will face Real Sociedad. Kiko Fermania and Jorge Cuenca are at risk of suspenion.

Key factors to consider

• Real Sociedad failed to impress at Reale Arena winning only 5 games this season in La Liga
• The hosts are in good form losing only one of their last 5 domestic games (1-0 at home with Osasuna)
• Imanol Alguacil’s side pulled off a vital win last round away at Mallorca (1-2)
• Villarreal has had a disappointing season so far being closer to relegation than to playing in a European Cup next season
• The Yellow Submarine is undefeated in the last 5 competitive games (W1D4)
• Marcelino’s team is struggling on the road losing 4 of their last 6 games

Conclusion

Real Sociedad bounced back from the Champions League defeat suffered in Paris against PSG with a win on Mallorca’s turf. Imanol Alguacil has built a fortress on Reale Arena where only Osasuna and Barcelona managed to win this season.

Although Villarreal has an edge over Sociedad in the games played at San Sebastian, Marcelino’s side is lacking enough firepower to get the job done. We are backing a win for the hosts with at least 2 goals scored in Villarreal’s net.

Verdict: Real Sociedad win

Best odds: 1.73

Bookmaker: ZetBet