La Liga begins on Friday night this weekend and we have a match to look forward to between Real Sociedad and Levante at the Anoeta Stadium.
Real Sociedad begin the weekend in 9th place and need a win if they are to keep the pressure on the teams above them in the table. However, a defeat and the hosts could be left looking over their shoulder at the teams below them.
One of those teams is Levante and they are currently 15th place in La Liga. The visitors are just 5 points off the relegation zone but a win would move them to within 2 points of Real Sociedad so there is a lot to play for in this match.
Real Sociedad suffered a heavy 5-2 defeat at the hands of Sevilla last weekend and that result makes it three games without a win in La Liga. Trends show Real Sociedad have won only one of their last five league matches and that came at home against Leganes mid-way through February.
However, Real Sociedad have lost only two of their last twelve games in all competitions and remain a difficult team to beat. They have suffered just one defeat at home in their last six and are usually entertaining to watch at the Anoeta, having seen over 2.5 goals in eighteen of their last twenty-four La Liga games.
Levante need to return to winning ways having suffered three defeats in succession in La Liga. That run of results has seen them drop towards the bottom three and they have won just one of their last seven in the league.
Trend show Levante have lost six of their last seven away matches in all competitions and have won just one of their last eleven on the road.
Away form in La Liga shows Levante have failed to keep a clean sheet in each of their last ten and they have failed to score themselves in four of the last five. The notable exception was the recent away game against Celta Vigo, which Levante won 4-1 although the hosts did play much of the second half with ten men.
Looking ahead to the team news and Real Sociedad are without the suspended Igor Zubeldia plus have a long list of players who could miss out due to injury. Diego Llorente, Willian José and Asier Illarramendi are among those who will definitely miss out for the hosts.
Levante don’t have as much to worry about in terms of injuries with Cheick Doukoure the only man definitely out of contention. Tono is back in training following a groin injury and Ruben Vezo could recover from a muscle problem.
Real Sociedad may not be in great form overall but they have a strong recent record at home. Levante do not travel well and the home team should pick up maximum points, with the possibility of a clean sheet.