Read our prediction for Real Sociedad vs Villarreal below. This preview was written by a sport journalist who is specialised in betting tips and predictions. Use our betting tips for the match between Real Sociedad vs Villarreal and you can increase your winnings!
Real Sociedad vs Villarreal Prediction & Betting tips
In its own Anoeta, Real Sociedad takes on Thursday night against Villarreal. The home club is almost finished, but hopes to be able to treat its fans to a rare home win. However, visitors still need the points in their fight against relegation.
Real Sociedad:
The Real Sociedad season threatens to go out like a night candle. Under coach Imanol Alguacil, who took over at the end of last year, the Basques seemed to be making a serious effort at European football, but that is no longer possible with only one win in the last nine rounds.
The cause for the recent form dip is mainly the huge laundry list of absent. Real Sociedad has been plagued by an injury wave for some time and will also have to miss several strong players on Thursday evening. With Diego Llorente, Adnan Januzaj, Asier Illarramendi, Hector Moreno and Theo Hernandez, Alguacil misses Villarreal almost half his base eleven. Moreover, since the summer renovation of the Anoeta, Real Sociedad has had a strikingly difficult time in-house. In old Anoeta, then with the ugly cinder track around the field, the blue and white could hardly be beat. That is different this season, with only five wins in sixteen home games.
Villarreal:
For Villarreal, the remaining five league matches determine the future of the club. Thanks to victories over Girona (0-1) and Leganes (2-1), the yellow shirts have been able to say goodbye to the relegation zone, but the difference with number eighteen Levante is still only a mere two points. “We must not think that we are already safe,” said trainer Javi Calleja.
That’s how it is. During the last relegation of seven years ago, with five matches remaining, Villarreal had a seven-point lead over the relegation zone, but it went completely wrong. El Submarino Amarillo therefore has to keep an eye on her count, although it has clearly been a lot better since the return of Calleja than before. With players such as Carlos Bacca, Santi Cazorla and Pablo Fornals, the team actually just belongs in the left row.
Real Sociedad vs Villarreal head to head matches
18.08.18 LL Villarreal Real Sociedad 1 : 2
27.01.18 LL Villarreal Real Sociedad 4 : 2
25.08.17 LL Real Sociedad Villarreal 3 : 0
19.02.17 LL Real Sociedad Villarreal 0 : 1
11.01.17 CDR Villarreal Real Sociedad 1 : 1