Real Sociedadvs.Valencia

The hosts begin matchday 36 in seventh place in the league table, while Los Che are six points further back in eighth position.

Match preview

Having collected 54 points from 35 matches, Real Sociedad boast a healthy six-point gap to Valencia and Villarreal, leaving them on the verge of securing European football.

However, they have fallen short of last season's fourth-place finish and now have a fight on their hands to swap their current Europa Conference League spot for a place in the Europa League.

The Basque side will begin the matchday in seventh spot and one point adrift of sixth-placed Real Betis after they fell to a 2-0 defeat in Monday's away clash with Barcelona, leaving them with just one win from their last five matches (D2, L2).

After losing at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, Imanol Alguacil's side will return to the Reale Arena, where they will have the chance to record consecutive home league victories for the first time in 2024.

They are also looking to complete their La Liga double over Valencia for the first time since the 2016-17 season after they recorded a narrow victory in September's reverse fixture thanks to a Carlos Fernandez effort.

However, claiming three points will be easier said than done, having failed to win any of their last three home games against Valencia (D2, L1) since running out 3-0 winners in February 2020.

Valencia have hit a poor run of form at a crucial stage of the season, having mustered one point from their previous four matches.

Los Che suffered three consecutive defeats against Betis, Barcelona and Alaves, before they were held to a frustrating goalless draw by Rayo Vallecano in Saturday's home contest.

Having picked up 48 points from 35 matches, Valencia are sitting six points adrift of Thursday's opponents, leaving their European hopes hanging by a thread.

While they now have the chance to close the gap, Los Che can still be proud of their efforts even if they miss out on European football, having already surpassed last season's tally by six points with three matches left to play against Real Sociedad, Girona and Celta Vigo.

Valencia have had to settle for five wins in their 17 away league games this season, but they can take confidence from the fact two of those victories have taken place in their previous three away matches.

The visitors have also fared well in recent trips to the Reale Arena, having won three, drawn two and lost one of their last six away games against Real Sociedad.

Real Sociedad La Liga form:

W

D

D

L

W

L

Valencia La Liga form:

W

W

L

L

L

D

Team News

Real Sociedad remain without the services of Aihen Munoz, Javi Galan, Martin Merquelanz, Igor Zubeldia and Fernandez.

Spain international Martin Zubimendi is also unlikely to feature after missing the last two matches due to a muscle injury.

Alguacil could be tempted to freshen up his side with Kieran Tierney, Take Kubo and Ander Barrenetxea all in contention for starting berths.

Meanwhile, Valencia boss Ruben Baraja is unable to call upon the injured quartet of Jaume Domenech, Mouctar Diakhaby, Jesus Vazquez and Fran Perez.

After dropping down to the bench against Rayo, Andre Almeida could come back into the side to make his 11th league start of the season.

Having recovered from injury, Valencia captain Jose Gaya is in contention to make his first appearance in nearly two months.

Real Sociedad possible starting lineup:

Remiro; Traore, Le Normand, Pacheco, Tierney; Zakharyan, Merino, Mendez; Kubo, Barrenetxea, Oyarzabal

Valencia possible starting lineup:

Mamardashvili; Correia, Mosquera, Ozkacar, Gaya; Guerra, Pepelu; Peter, Almeida, Lopez; Duro

We say: Real Sociedad 1-1 Valencia

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