Real Sociedad will be bidding to end a six-game winless run in all competitions when they resume their La Liga campaign with a home fixture against basement side Real Valladolid on Saturday afternoon.
A disappointing season has left Real Sociedad down in 12th spot in the La Liga table, while Real Valladolid are rock bottom, 11 points from safety, with the visitors facing a huge battle to remain in Spain's top flight.
Match preview
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Real Sociedad have had a disappointing season considering the quality in their squad, with a record of 10 wins, five draws and 13 defeats from 28 matches bringing them 35 points, only enough for 12th spot in the table.
The Basque outfit are only actually two points ahead of 14th-placed Osasuna, but they sit just four points off eighth-placed Celta Vigo, so the picture could change relatively quickly, with a lot of points still to play for in the coming weeks.
Imanol Alguacil's side are now nine points behind sixth-placed Real Betis, though, so European football for next season is unlikely, and they could finish outside of the top 10 in Spain's top flight for the first time since 2018.
La Real are without a victory in their last six matches in all competitions, including their last three in the league, but they did enter the international break off the back of a 2-2 draw with Rayo Vallecano.
The Basque team only have the 13th-best home record in La Liga this season, picking up 20 points from 14 matches, but Real Valladolid have just three points to show from their 14 away matches during the 2024-25 campaign.
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Real Valladolid have had an incredibly tough campaign, picking up just 16 points from 28 matches, which has left them at the bottom of the division, 11 points from the safety of 17th spot with just 10 fixtures remaining.
Only a minor miracle will prevent the White and Violets from being relegated this season, although the battle will continue while it remains mathematically possible for the team to escape the bottom three.
Alvaro Rubio's side entered the March international break off the back of a 1-0 home defeat to Celta Vigo, and goals have been a real issue this term, only finding the back of the net on 18 occasions in their 28 matches.
Real Valladolid also have comfortably the worst defensive record in Spain's top flight this season, conceding 63 times, so it is not difficult to understand why it has been a tough campaign for the club.
Pucela have actually won two of their last three league meetings against Real Sociedad, including a 1-0 success in the corresponding game during the 2022-23 campaign, while it was 0-0 in the reverse fixture earlier this season.
Team News
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Real Sociedad will be without the services of Ander Barrenetxea through suspension, while Brais Mendez, Sheraldo Becker, Arsen Zakharyan, Luka Sucic and Jon Pacheco are set to miss the match due to injury problems.
Mikel Oyarzabal will enter the match off the back of scoring a brace for Spain against the Netherlands in the UEFA Nations League, and he is set to come back into the XI having dropped down to the bench against Rayo before the international break.
There remains speculation surrounding the future of Martin Zubimendi, and this is expected to be his last season at Real Sociedad, with the midfielder in line to make his 39th appearance of the campaign this weekend.
As for Real Valladolid, Juanmi Latasa will be back in the squad after missing out against Celta last time out through suspension.
Meanwhile, Andre Ferreira and Joseph Aidoo are again expected to be unavailable due to fitness problems.
There were plenty of positives from the team's last match against Celta, and it is certainly possible that head coach Rubio could name an unchanged side for this fixture, including another start for Raul Moro, who has four goals and three assists in 24 appearances this term.
Real Sociedad possible starting lineup:
Remiro; Aramburu, Zubeldia, Elustondo, Munoz; Benat, Zubimendi, S Gomez; Kubo, Oskarsson, Oyarzabal
Real Valladolid possible starting lineup:
Hein; Candela, Comert, J Sanchez, Aznou; Tuhami, Martin, Niktischer, Grillitsch, Moro; Sylla
We say: Real Sociedad 1-0 Real Valladolid
Real Sociedad have struggled to find their top level for much of this season, and Real Valladolid have tightened up defensively in recent matches, conceding just four times in their last three games. As a result, we are expecting a tight game on Saturday, but it would be a huge shock if the home side were unable to collect all three points.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Matt Law
