Villarreal vs Real Sociedad Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Villarreal are comfortable in the top four in La Liga as the Yellow Submarine now welcome a Real Sociedad side also chasing UEFA Champions League qualification.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN have the exclusive rights to La Liga games in the USA, so any game may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
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Villarreal preview: Confusing Yellow Submarine
Marcelino is set to lead Villarreal to their second successive UEFA Champions League qualification for the first time ever but supporters remain frustrated by the style of football and level of performances of the Yellow Submarine.
The hosts managed to snatch themselves a point up in the Basque Country last weekend at Mendizorroza in Vitoria-Gasleiz with Ivory Coast international Nicolas Pepe scoring a 98th minute equaliser against Deportivo Alaves.
Real Sociedad preview: Impressive La Real
Real Sociedad have been much-improved since the appointment of Pellegrino Matarazzo and they are chasing UEFA Champions League qualification with the Copa del Rey final also taking place against Atletico Madrid next month.
The Basque giants begin this weekend’s round of fixtures sitting six points behind fifth place Real Betis, with fifth expected to be enough to assure UEFA Champions League football due to the performances of Spanish sides in UEFA competition this season.
Villarreal team news: Ayoze out
Spain international attacker Ayoze Perez remains unavailable due to injury for the hosts, alongside defenders Logan Costa and Juan Foyth, as well as the versatile Pau Cabanes.
Predicted XI (4-4-2): Junior; Santiago Mourino, Pau Navarro, Rafa Marin, Sergi Cardona; Buchanan, Santi Comesana, Gueye, Alfonso; Pepe, Mikautadze
Unavailable: Costa (Injured), Foyth (Injured), Pau Cabanes (Injured), Ayoze (Injured)
Questionable:
Real Sociedad team news: Benat Turrientes suspended
Key midfielder Benat Turrientes is unavailable for the visitors this weekend as he is missing through suspension, while Takefusa Kubo and Yangel Herrera are also now sidelined.
Predicted XI (4-4-2): Alex Remiro; Jon Aramburu, Caleta-Car, Igor Zubeldia, Sergi Gomez; Guedes, Carlos Soler, Pablo Marin, Ander Barrenetxea; Brais Mendez, Mikel Oyarzabal
Unavailable: Alvaro Odriozola (Injured), Yangel Herrera (Injured), Benat Turrientes (Suspended), Inaki Ruperez (Injured), Kubo (Injured)
Questionable: Aihen Munoz (Injured)
Villarreal vs Real Sociedad prediction
Villarreal are a good side and have a very strong squad with a lot of depth, especially in the final third, and that is perhaps why supporters have become so frustrated. That said, with home advantage, they often get themselves on the front foot. Real Sociedad are a transformed team in 2026 and will sense a chance to put the pressure on Betis and Celta Vigo so both teams scoring seems a good bet for this one at El Madrigal.
Villarreal vs Real Sociedad tip: Both teams to score
