Real Sociedadvs.Almeria

Imanol Alguacil's side are currently sixth in the La Liga table, five points ahead of seventh-placed Valencia, while Almeria are bottom, 15 points from the safety of 17th position.

Match preview

Real Sociedad finished fourth in La Liga last season, but they have been unable to launch a top-four challenge this term, currently sitting sixth, nine points behind fourth-placed Atletico Madrid.

The Basque side are in a Europa League group-stage position at this stage of the season, which would still go down as a successful campaign, and they will bring a three-game winning run into this contest.

Indeed, Alguacil's team have beaten Granada, Cadiz and Alaves since being knocked out of the Champions League by Paris Saint-Germain in the round of 16 at the start of last month.

Real Sociedad have won 13, drawn 10 and lost seven of their 30 league games this season to collect 49 points, and they are five points ahead of seventh-placed Valencia and seven clear of Real Betis in eighth.

The White and Blues have picked up 23 points from their 14 home league games this season, recording six wins in the process, and they will be welcoming an Almeria side with the second-worst away record in the division, but the basement club's only league win this term did come on their travels.

Unless something extraordinary happens over the next few weeks, Almeria will be playing Segunda Division football during the 2024-25 campaign.

La Union have a record of one win, 10 draws and 19 defeats from their 30 league matches this season to collect 13 points, which has left them bottom, 15 points behind 17th-placed Celta Vigo with eight games left.

There is still plenty of football to be played before the end of the season, but Pepe Mel's side need victories, and their only one in the league this term came away to Las Palmas in the middle of March.

Almeria were unable to build on the one-goal success over Las Palmas, though, as they lost 3-0 at home to Osasuna at the end of last month.

UDA, who finished 17th in La Liga last season, have lost their last three La Liga matches with Real Sociedad, including a 3-1 defeat in the reverse fixture earlier this term, while it is almost 10 years since they last managed to beat the Basque team at this level of football.

Real Sociedad La Liga form:

W

L

L

W

W

W

Real Sociedad form (all competitions):

D

L

L

W

W

W

Almeria La Liga form:

D

D

L

D

W

L

Team News

Real Sociedad have three players definitely out of this match, with Takefusa Kubo, Brais Mendez and Martin Merquelanz on the sidelines due to injury problems.

Two more will face late fitness tests in the shape of Jon Pacheco and Carlos Fernandez, so the home side could be without the services of five players for the home contest with Almeria.

Kubo's absence is expected to open the door for Sheraldo Becker to feature in the final third of the field, while Ander Barrenetxea should again operate on the right of the team's front three this weekend.

Robin Le Normand was suspended last time out but will return to the back four here.

As for Almeria, Sergio Arribas, Luis Suarez, Ibrahima Kone and Aleksandar Radovanovic are unavailable for selection due to injury problems.

There will also be no Gonzalo Melero on Sunday, as the midfielder was hit with a four-game suspension at the end of last month for his comments after the clash with Real Madrid.

Adri Embarba and Leo Baptistao are both set to return to the Almeria attack this weekend, while Chumi could be in line for a start due to the absence of Radovanovic.

Real Sociedad possible starting lineup:

Remiro; Traore, Zubeldia, Le Normand, Galan; Zakharyan, Zubimendi, Merino; Becker, Oyarzabal, Barrenetxea

Almeria possible starting lineup:

Maximiano; Pubill, Montes, Chumi, Centelles; Viera, Gonzalez, Robertone; Ramazani, Baptistao, Embarba

We say: Real Sociedad 2-0 Almeria

Almeria are certainly good enough to cause Real Sociedad problems this weekend, with the away side better than what they have shown for most of the season. The hosts are in strong form, though, and we are expecting them to secure all three points in routine fashion on Sunday.

Previews by email