Sixth versus seventh takes place in La Liga this weekend as Villarreal meet with Real Sociedad at the Estadio de la Cerámica with the two set to scrap it out for the ECL spot in what is arguably the biggest game of their La Liga season to date.
There are just two games left on the clock in Spain, and ahead of this must-win battle, Villarreal are just three points behind the sixth-placed Sociedad and a win here over them would rocket them into the Europa Conference League spot.
¡Con su remodelación, el #EstadioDeLaCerámica también estrenará nuevos asientos, sistema de sonido, videomarcador e iluminación 🕺! pic.twitter.com/JCKW8baat2— Villarreal CF (@VillarrealCF) May 13, 2022
¡Con su remodelación, el #EstadioDeLaCerámica también estrenará nuevos asientos, sistema de sonido, videomarcador e iluminación 🕺! pic.twitter.com/JCKW8baat2
At the same time, there is still a chance either team can get into the Europa League ahead of Real Betis, but this gap is two points on Sociedad and five on Unai Emery's men.
Betis do, however, have to travel to Real Madrid on the final day, so there is still an opportunity for them to eye up the fifth spot. At the same time, it seems incredibly unlikely, and this is likely to be the fight for the Europa Conference League and a finish in the top six above all else.
Unai Emery’s men are boasting a significantly better goals difference record in this one, which has been the major difference this season in giving them hope of getting back into Europe.
They sit with a +25 goals difference as opposed to Sociedad's +3, with the Champions League semi-finalists scoring a fantastic 60 goals this season after also letting in only 35.
Emery's side are also coming off the back of drawing with Champions League-chasing Sevilla in La Liga, while also hammering Rayo Vallecano 5-1. It was a stunning display by Villarreal, as Alfonso Pedraza scored twice, with Juan Foyth, Pau Torres and Paco Alcacer all scoring a goal each too.
Sociedad eased past Cadiz in midweek at the same time, as Alexander Sorloth scored from open play, before Adnan Januzaj and Portu netted a penalty each in the 3-0 win.
It also put the club back in the win column after a troubling few weeks that saw them draw with Real Betis and Vallecano, while also losing to Barcelona and Levante.
A win here is a must for Imanol Alguacil's men with them also travelling to Atletico Madrid on the final day of the season. Forebet now predicts a draw here and for the game to see under 2.5 goals in this fight for the top six in La Liga.