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

Real Sociedad were knocked out of the Europa League by Roma on Thursday evening courtesy of a goalless draw in their last-16 second leg in Spain, while relegation-threatened Elche will enter this match off the back of a 1-1 draw with Real Valladolid in the league last Saturday.

Match preview

Real Sociedad had a mountain to climb in their Europa League last-16 tie with Roma, having suffered a 2-0 defeat to Jose Mourinho's side in the first leg in Rome. As it transpired, the two teams played out a goalless draw on Thursday, which allowed the Italian outfit to advance by two clear goals.

The Basque outfit must now focus on La Liga, where they are bidding to secure a top-four finish for the first time in 10 years.

Imanol Alguacil's side have enjoyed a strong campaign to date, picking up 45 points from their 25 matches to sit fourth in the table, but they are only three points ahead of fifth-placed Real Betis.

The White and Blues appear to be having a wobble at the worst possible stage of the season, having picked up just three points from their last four matches in Spain's top flight, including a 1-1 draw with Mallorca last weekend.

Real Sociedad have been excellent away from home this season, winning eight times, but they actually only have the 14th-best home record this term, picking up just 19 points from 12 matches, which is certainly low considering their position in the table.

Elche will not be in the mood to give Real Sociedad any sympathy this weekend, though, as the Green-Striped Ones look to pick up just their third league victory of the campaign.

Pablo Machin's side have only collected 13 points from their 25 league games this season, which has left them rock bottom of the table, some 13 points from 17th-placed Valencia.

It is not impossible for Elche to avoid relegation this season, but it would be a huge shock if they were able to complete a great escape, having found it difficult for much of the campaign.

Los Ilicitanos are actually in their third straight season in Spain's top flight, which is their best run at this level of football since the late 1970s.

Machin's team have also shown signs of life in recent matches, starting March with a 1-0 victory over Mallorca before holding Real Valladolid to a 1-1 draw last time out.

Elche have lost each of their last five La Liga matches against Real Sociedad, though, including a 1-0 defeat in the reverse fixture earlier this season.

Real Sociedad La Liga form:

L

W

D

L

D

D

Real Sociedad form (all competitions):

D

L

D

L

D

D

Elche La Liga form:

W

L

L

L

W

D

Team News

Real Sociedad will again be without the services of Aritz Elustondo, Sadiq Umar and Martin Merquelanz for this weekend's contest due to fitness problems.

Meanwhile, Mikel Merino and Carlos Fernandez are both suspended, with the former sent off against Mallorca last weekend, and the latter picking up a milestone yellow card.

Asier Illarramendi could be the player to benefit from Merino's absence in midfield, but Takefusa Kubo could start on the bench once again, with Mikel Oyarzabal and Alexander Sorloth potentially playing as the front two.

As for Elche, Pere Milla and Pape Diop Cheikh will miss the match through suspension, while Lisandro Magallan, Enzo Roco, Alex Collado and John Donald are on the sidelines through injury.

There will have to be at least two changes to the back five that started against Real Valladolid, with Lautaro Blanco and Nicolas Fernandez set to come into the side for this match.

However, head coach Machin is unlikely to make any changes further forward, with Lucas Boye again set to be joined by Randy Nteka in the final third of the field.

Real Sociedad possible starting lineup:

Remiro; Gorosabel, Le Normand, Pacheco, Rico; Mendez, Zubimendi, D Silva, Illarramendi; Oyarzabal, Sorloth

Elche possible starting lineup:

Badia; Carmona, Palacios, Fernandez, Blanco, Clerc; Gumbau, Mascarell, Fidel; Boye, Nteka

We say: Real Sociedad 2-0 Elche

Elche will certainly be the fresher of the two teams for this match, but Real Sociedad will be fired-up to return to winning ways following their European disappointment, and we are finding it difficult to predict anything other than a routine home success in Sunday's encounter.

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