Preview: Alaves vs. Real Sociedad - prediction, team news, lineups

Real Sociedad make the trip to Mendizorrotza to face Alaves on Thursday night looking to strengthen their grip of fourth place in the La Liga standings.

Meanwhile, Alaves welcome their Champions League-chasing opponents having began the week in 15th position, seven points above the relegation zone.

Match preview

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Eager to remain in the top four, Real Sociedad would have been hugely disappointed to have only secured a 1-1 draw at home to Osasuna on their return to action Sunday.

However, the result will have now been put into context with only one of the teams placed between fourth and 13th recording a victory since last Thursday.

The number of stalemates leaves Sociedad with a one-point advantage over Getafe and Atletico Madrid ahead of a fixture which they will expect to win.

When also taking into account that their most recent draw came from a losing position, boss Imanol Alguacil will take more positives than negatives from his team's opening 90 minutes since March.

Nevertheless, with Real Madrid to come on Sunday, Alguacil will acknowledge that the stakes have increased with his team looking to avoid more dropped points at a crucial stage of the campaign.

From Alaves' perspective, a 2-0 defeat away at bottom-of-the-table Espanyol represented a disastrous start to action being played behind closed doors.

Fernando Pacheco 's early dismissal played a significant part in that setback as their hosts netted their two goals either side of half time.

However, with their winless streak now extended to three matches, Asier Garitano has a major job on his hands to get his team back on track over the coming weeks.

Although their immediate schedule is more favourable to some of their rivals, they still have to face both Madrid sides and Barcelona in their final 10 games.

That will naturally lead to hope being placed on the shoulders of Lucas Perez, who will hope to return from injury to add to his 11 goals and five assists for the season.

Alaves La Liga form: WLWDDL

Real Sociedad La Liga form: WWWLWD

Team News

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After missing the opening fixture due to a lack of fitness, Perez should feature in attack on Thursday night.

Pacheco's red card also means that there will be a change between the sticks, with former West Ham United stopper Roberto taking his place.

Aleix Vidal has been passed fit to feature on the right flank after sustaining a knock.

Meanwhile, Sociedad will have to do without Mikel Merino, who sits out the trip due to suspension.

Having only been used as substitutes against Osasuna, Adnan Januzaj and Alexander Isak will expect to be handed a recall.

The same goes for Asier Illarramendi, who is back fit again after not making an appearance since August due to a broken leg.

Alaves possible starting lineup:

Roberto; Navarro, Ely, Laguardia, Duarte; Vidal, Pina, Fejsa, Mendez; Perez, Joselu

Real Sociedad possible starting lineup:

Remiro; Zaldua, Elustondo, Normand, Monreal; Odegaard, Llorente, Zubeldia; Januzaj, Isak, Oyarzabal

We say: Alaves 1-2 Real Sociedad

With both teams still getting up to speed, this could turn out to be a closely-fought contest. However, we are backing the superior quality of the visitors to ultimately shine through, potentially in the latter stages when fitness levels are on the decline.