Real Sociedad vs Villarreal Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 Spanish Primera
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THE FACTS
When is Real Sociedad vs Villarreal on and what time does it start? Real Sociedad vs Villarreal will take place on Friday 23rd February, 2024 – 20:00 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Real Sociedad vs Villarreal? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What TV channel is Real Sociedad vs Villarreal on in the UK? Real Sociedad vs Villarreal will be televised live on LaLigaTV, but La Liga matches are also televised occasionally on Viaplay Sports and ITV
Where can I stream Real Sociedad vs Villarreal in the UK? Real Sociedad vs Villarreal can be streamed live on Viaplay, while ITV matches can be streamed live on ITVX
THE LOWDOWN
REAL SOCIEDAD
Imanol Aguacil has produced an extremely intense style of pressing football in the Basque Country with Real Sociedad but that does often hamper them in the second-half of a season with La Real consistently falling away in recent seasons. It does appear to be going the same way this time around as they sit just inside the top six ahead of this weekend’s round of fixtures.
However, La Real come into this one on the back of a vital 2-1 win against Real Mallorca last weekend ahead of their Copa del Rey semi-final second-leg against the same opposition in midweek. Mallorca took an early lead in that game but then former Newcastle midfielder Mikel Merino scored a 93rd minute winner for the Basque giants.
VILLARREAL
Former Valencia and Olympique de Marseille boss Marcelino became Villarreal’s third manager of the campaign during the November international break and results have steadied but the Yellow Submarine remain in the bottom-half of the table with a slight concern, albeit emphasis on the world slight, of being dragged down towards the bottom three and the relegation places.
The visitors come into this one on the back of a 1-1 draw against Getafe at El Madrigal last weekend. That was their fourth draw in five matches with three 1-1 draws and a goalless stalemate coming in a run whereby they also defeated Barcelona by five goals to three. They have UEFA Europa Conference League knockout football to look forward to next month as they sit nine points clear of the bottom three.
THE TEAM NEWS
REAL SOCIEDAD
Real Sociedad have plenty of injury issues this weekend with Aritz Elustondo and Mikel Oyarzabal remaining doubtful, whilst Ham Traore, Takefusa Kubo and Sheraldo Becker are out injured.
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Alex Remiro; Aramburu, Zubeldia, Le Normand, Galan; Mendez, Zubimendi, Merino; Barrenetxea, Sadiq, Zakharyan
UNAVAILABLE: Kubo (Injured), Traore (Injured), Becker (Injured), Odriozola (Injured), Tierney (Injured), Munoz (Injured), Fernandez (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Elustondo (Injured), Oyarzabal (Injured)
VILLARREAL
Alex Baena will be joined by the likes of Alexander Sorloth, Juan Foyth, Ramon Terrats and Denis Suarez on the sidelines for Villarreal this weekend.
PREDICTED XI (4-4-2): Jorgensen; Femenia, Albiol, Mosquera, Alberto Moreno; Akhomach, Comesana, Capoue, Morales; Gerard Moreno, Goncalo Guedes
UNAVAILABLE: Baena (Injured), Sorloth (Injured), Terrats (Injured), Foyth (Injured), Suarez (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
THE PREDICTION
These are two sides that have been regular qualifiers for European competition from La Liga this season but that will change this season. Real Sociedad are struggling to cling on to a spot in the top seven and are fading in the second-half of the campaign, whilst Villarreal are in the bottom-half with winning the UEFA Europa Conference League their best and only realistic route into Europe next season. It could end being an entertaining encounter in the north of Spain this weekend, though, with La Real potentially taking their eye off the ball ahead of the cup and Villarreal full of goals at both ends this season. Both teams scoring, therefore, looks the way to go for this one.
TIP: BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE
