Alavesvs.Real Sociedad

Meanwhile, ninth-placed Real Sociedad are looking to secure European qualification for a sixth consecutive season.

Match preview

Alaves have considerable work to do to extend their two-season stay in the top flight, with El Glorioso languishing in the drop zone after winning seven, drawing 10 and losing 15 of their 32 matches.

Eduardo Coudet's side have experienced mixed results in recent weeks, having won one, drawn two and lost two of their last five league games.

After playing out a 2-2 draw with Las Palmas, Alaves lost consecutive home games against Rayo Vallecano and Real Madrid, either side of a narrow 1-0 away win over Girona.

They then held Sevilla to a 1-1 draw in Sunday's away clash after Kike Garcia cancelled out Peque's early opener to extend Alaves' unbeaten away run to five matches (W1, D4).

While they avoided defeat, Alaves ended the weekend one point adrift of safety with six games left to play against Real Sociedad, Atletico Madrid, Athletic Club, Valencia, Real Valladolid and Osasuna.

After beating Real Sociedad 2-1 in August's reverse fixture, El Glorioso have the chance to complete a league double over La Real, although that will be easier said than done, given the fact they have lost four of their previous five home matches (W1).

Having won 12, drawn six and lost 14 of their 32 league games, Real Sociedad start matchday 32 with a one-point deficit to the top eight and a two-point gap to seventh position.

While eighth place would secure Conference League football, La Real will have aspirations of achieving Europa League qualification, especially as they have finished in the top seven in each of the last five seasons.

La Real have avoided defeat in four of their previous five league games, although they have taken just a point from their last two outings.

After losing 2-0 to Mallorca in their most recent home game, Real Sociedad were a little fortunate to hold Villarreal to a draw in Sunday's clash at Estadio de la Ceramica despite establishing a 2-1 lead thanks to a Mikel Oyarzabal brace.

Ayoze Perez netted an equaliser on the hour mark, before Villarreal saw three potential winners controversially ruled out following VAR intervention, ensuring La Real made it three consecutive away league matches without defeat (W1, D2).

Imanol Alguacil's side may fancy their chances of extending that run, having avoided defeat in their last three visits to Mendizorroza (W1, D2), including a narrow 1-0 victory in last season's away clash with Alaves.

Alaves La Liga form:

W

D

L

W

L

D

Real Sociedad La Liga form:

L

D

W

W

L

D

Real Sociedad form (all competitions):

D

W

D

W

L

D

Team News

Alaves are unable to call upon defender Abdel Abqar, who is at risk of missing the rest of the season after sustaining a hamstring injury in the defeat to Real Madrid earlier this month.

The defensive duo of Santiago Mourino and Manu Sanchez are available for selection after missing Sunday's draw against Sevilla through suspension.

Mourino could replace Moussa Diarra in central defence, while Sanchez will take Aleksandar Sedlar's spot in the starting lineup.

Kike will continue to offer Alaves' main goal threats, having scored 12 goals in 30 league appearances this season.

As for Real Sociedad, they are expected to be without Arsen Zakharyan, Alvaro Odriozola, Igor Zubeldia and Ander Barrenetxea.

Nayef Aguerd has missed the last three matches, and the defender remains a fitness doubt for the trip to Mendizorroza.

Orri Oskarsson is hoping to prove his fitness in time for the midweek fixture after missing the draw against Villarreal with a small injury issue.

Key midfielder Martin Zubimendi is available for selection following a one-match ban for an accumulation of yellow cards.

Alaves possible starting lineup:

Sivera; Tenaglia, Darces, Mourino, Sanchez; Jordan, Blanco; Vicente, Guridi, Alena; Garcia

Real Sociedad possible starting lineup:

Remiro; Aramburu, Martin, Elustondo, Munoz; Zubimendi; Kubo, Mendez, Marin, Gomez; Oyarzabal

We say: Alaves 1-1 Real Sociedad

Written by

Ben Sully

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