Real Sociedad and Villarreal are separated by a solitary point in the La Liga table as they prepare to go head-to-head at the Reale Arena on Sunday night.
Sociedad sit seventh in the standings, while Villarreal find themselves eighth. However, Villarreal’s goal difference (+8) is far superior to that of Sociedad’s (-1).
Capi @FCoquelin_off © y 𝗽𝗮𝗱𝗿𝗲, también 💪#UECL pic.twitter.com/KLduBvetN2— Villarreal CF (@VillarrealCF) October 6, 2022
Capi @FCoquelin_off © y 𝗽𝗮𝗱𝗿𝗲, también 💪#UECL pic.twitter.com/KLduBvetN2
Can Sociedad extend their winning streak to three games? Or will Villarreal snap their three-game winless run? Let’s take a closer look at the teams.
Sociedad head into Sunday’s clash with a record of four wins, one draw and two losses, having scored 12 goals and conceded 11 across their first seven league games.
Last weekend, Sociedad extended their winning streak to two games with a 5-3 thrashing of Girona – with Alexander Sorloth bagging a brace.
It is worth noting that Sociedad have scored in all seven on their La Liga games this term. Consequently, only the top three sides have netted more goals.
Having scored seven goals across their past two league outings, Sociedad look destined to get on the scoresheet this weekend.
As for Villarreal, they have only lost one of their seven league outings this season – securing three wins and three draws in that time.
Believe it or not, Villarreal have conceded just two La Liga goals this season – keeping five clean sheets in the process. As a result, they boast the second-best defensive record in the division behind Barcelona.
It is worth pointing out, however, that Villarreal have failed to score in each of their previous three away games in La Liga.
Given that five of Villarreal’s seven league games this season have produced under 2.5 goals, Sunday’s clash should be a low-scoring affair.
Head-to-head: Both teams have scored in each of the past six La Liga meetings between Sociedad and Villarreal, meaning we should see goals on Sunday.
Villarreal have only lost two of their previous 13 away games against Sociedad in all competitions, so the Yellow Submarine should avoid defeat this time around.
Team news: Sociedad’s lengthy injury list features Mikel Oyarzabal, Robin Le Normand, Umar Sadiq, Momo Cho and Martin Merquenlanz.
On the flip side, Villarreal look set to be without Gerard Moreno on Sunday as the experienced forward continues to recover from a muscle injury.
Given that Villarreal have drawn three of their previous five league outings, another tight clash is on the cards at the Reale Arena.
For that reason, Forbet predicts that Sociedad and Villarreal will play out a low-scoring draw on Sunday – with both teams netting under 1.5 goals.