Villarreal – Real Sociedad
Five Spanish Champions League tickets are up for grabs in the race for Europe – and right in the thick of it, Villarreal (5th) welcomes Real Sociedad (9th) to the Estadio de la Cerámica on Sunday. Marcelino’s side are riding high after their 2-1 win at Betis, but the Basques won the first leg 1-0 and have lost only one of their last six away games here. A draw seems almost impossible between these two sides; in eight of their last nine encounters, there have been no more than three goals. Real Sociedad will have to do without the suspended Zubimendi and has been plagued by injuries recently, while Villarreal’s Cardona is one yellow card away from suspension. Betis is lurking three points behind – every point counts.
Villarreal – Real Sociedad Info
- Venue: Estadio de la Cerámica, Villarreal
- Date and time: 20.04.2025, 16:15
- Competition: La Liga (matchday 32)
Villarreal Form & Record Check
Villarreal is currently impressing with its stability after the break: In the last five league games, the team has not conceded a goal after the break, but was caught off guard four times before that. Offensively, Pino and Moreno’s 4-3-3 formation is thriving, with Barry taking advantage of his chance in Seville. Two away wins, a goalless home draw and two defeats show the inconsistency – especially at home, the team sometimes lacks that final punch. Nevertheless, they are keeping Betis at bay with three points.
Marcelino is likely to stick with his 4-3-3 formation: Jorgensen will be in goal; Bailly, Pedraza, Cuenca and Foyth will form the back four. Parejo will pull the strings in the center, flanked by Capoue and Baena. Pino, Moreno and Barry will cause trouble up front. Akhomach (cruciate ligament rupture) and Buchanan are out, while Costa is suspended after picking up a yellow card.
Real Sociedad form & record check
The Basques are on a rollercoaster ride: two wins, one draw, two defeats – most recently a sobering 0-2 loss to Mallorca. All five games have seen at least three goals scored, but always in their own net. The defense is particularly shaky after the restart, while Kubo and Oyarzabal provide pace in attack. However, Alguacil has to improvise without Zubimendi and the injured Zubeldia, Odriozola, and Zakharyan; Oyarzabal is on a yellow card. They are two points behind eighth place – the pressure is mounting.
Alguacil sticks with a 4-2-3-1 formation due to a lack of alternatives: Remiro; Traoré, Elustondo, Le Normand, Tierney; Merino, Turrientes; Kubo, Sučić, Marín; Oyarzabal. Zubimendi is suspended, Zubeldia, Odriozola, Zakharyan, and Becker are injured – experience is lacking, especially in defense, which could lead to further rotations.
Villarreal – Real Sociedad Head-to-Head & Statistics
There has not been a single draw in the last five head-to-head matches: Real Sociedad won three times and Villarreal twice. Since February 2024, there have never been more than three goals scored, and four times the first half ended almost goalless. Another 1-0 is in the air, although the current form curves suggest a more even contest.
