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

The home team, who are third in the table, will enter the contest off the back of a 3-2 win over Espanyol, while 14th-placed Celta suffered a 1-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid in their last match.

Match preview

By Real Sociedad's own high standards this season, their run of results between January 25 and February 5 were disappointing, losing to Barcelona in the Copa del Rey, in addition to picking up just one point from two league matches against Real Madrid and Real Valladolid.

However, the Basque outfit managed to return to winning ways last time out, recording a 3-2 victory at Espanyol, with Imanol Alguacil's side leading by three goals at RCDE Stadium before having to survive a late scare as the home team scored twice.

The result moved Real Sociedad onto 42 points from their 21 matches, four points ahead of fourth-placed Atletico and crucially eight points clear of fifth-placed Real Betis in the race for the top four.

Alguacil's side, who are still in the Europa League, now have a run of matches where they will expect to pick up some good results, with clashes against Celta, Valencia, Cadiz, Mallorca and Elche over the next month.

The White and Blues have picked up 17 points from their 10 home league games this season, but they have actually been stronger on their travels, collecting 25 points from 11 matches, which is the second-best record in the division behind Barcelona.

Celta, meanwhile, will enter the contest off the back of a 1-0 defeat to Atletico, with Memphis Depay scoring the only goal of the match in the 89th minute.

The result left Carlos Carvalhal's side on 23 points from 21 matches, which is enough for 14th position in the table, just three points clear of 18th-placed Valencia.

Celta have actually won two of their last three league matches, including an impressive 4-3 victory over Real Betis in their last away game at the start of the month.

The Sky Blues have picked up 10 away points this season, which is a strong record considering their position in the table, but their recent record against Real Sociedad is disappointing, losing each of their last five La Liga fixtures with the Basque outfit.

Celta have finished eighth and 11th in their last two campaigns, but they were 17th in back-to-back seasons in 2018-19 and 2019-20, so it would not be a shock to see them end the campaign close to the relegation zone.

Real Sociedad La Liga form:

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Celta Vigo La Liga form:

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Team News

Real Sociedad still have a number of injury problems, with Aritz Elustondo, Umar Sadiq, David Silva, Jon Pacheco, Mohamed Ali-Cho, Andoni Gorosabel and Martin Merquelanz remaining on the sidelines.

The Basque side did not pick up any fresh injury problems in their clash with Espanyol last time out, so it is expected to be a similar starting side for this match, with Mikel Oyarzabal and Takefusa Kubo supporting Alexander Sorloth in the final third of the field.

However, there could be a change in central midfield, with Mikel Merino potentially coming in for Asier Illarramendi.

As for Celta, Agustin Marchesin remains a long-term absentee through injury, but Unai Nunez will be back in the squad this weekend after serving a suspension.

Head coach Carvalhal is expected to resist the temptation to make changes from the side that started the defeat to Atletico, with Iago Aspas again set to be joined by Jorgen Strand Larsen in the final third of the field.

Haris Seferovic is again likely to be on the bench, while Lucas de la Torre should continue in a wide position despite the presence of Franco Cervi.

Real Sociedad possible starting lineup:

Remiro; Barrenetxea, Zubeldia, Le Normand, Rico; Kubo, Mendez, Zubimendi, Merino, Oyarzabal; Sorloth

Celta Vigo possible starting lineup:

Villar; Mingueza, Aidoo, Nunez, Galan; Perez, Veiga, Beltran, De la Torre; Aspas, Larsen

We say: Real Sociedad 2-1 Celta Vigo

Celta are more than capable of making this an uncomfortable match for Real Sociedad, but we are finding it difficult to back against a home success this weekend. The Basque outfit are having a strong campaign and should have too much quality for their opponents on Saturday afternoon.

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