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

Real Sociedad will look to reignite their bid for a spot in the top four of the La Liga table on Sunday, when they entertain Alaves.

The hosts find themselves sixth after a defeat to Real Madrid last time out, while their visitors are embroiled in their own battle at the opposite end of the Spanish top flight.

Match preview

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After a defeat to Athletic Bilbao and an exit from the Europa League at the hands of RB Leipzig, Real Sociedad bounced back and boosted their claim for a top-four finish in La Liga with consecutive wins in February.

La Real firstly beat Osasuna 1-0 thanks to Aritz Elustondo's second-half goal, before David Silva and Mikel Merino fired them to a 2-0 win away at Mallorca.

In their bid to make it three wins on the bounce, Imanol Alguacil's side faced the tough test of a trip to league leaders Real Madrid last time out, and, despite taking an early lead through Mikel Oyarzabal, they eventually fell well short and left empty-handed after a 4-1 thrashing.

That meant they remained in sixth spot in the Spanish top flight but have seen the gap between themselves and fourth-placed Atletico Madrid stretch to four points, and, with only 11 league games left to play, they will aim to keep themselves in the race with a home win.

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They take on an Alaves side in need of a victory for a different reason, as they aim to climb closer to safety.

Despite enjoying a resurgence last November, El Glorioso's survival hopes took a major hit as they had to endure an 11-game winless run between November and February.

Jose Luis Mendilibar's side were finally able to stop the rot with a 2-1 victory at home to Valencia in mid-February thanks to goals from Mamadou Loum and Joselu.

Following a defeat to Real Madrid, El Glorioso now head into Sunday on the back of consecutive defeats, with the most recent of those being particularly impressive as they held second-placed Sevilla to a goalless stalemate on home turf.

While they will be pleased with that performance, Mendilibar's side now sit 19th in the table, three points adrift of safety, and they will know that they need to post victories quickly to bridge that gap and jump out of the drop zone.

Team News

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Real Sociedad will remain without Ander Barrenetxea and Carlos Fernandez due to injuries, while Nacho Monreal is also unlikely to feature.

Key midfielder Mikel Merino and winger Mikel Oyarzabal will both require assessments, although they are expected to start if deemed fit.

In the absence of Barrenetxea, Portu has often completed the front line alongside Alexander Isak and Oyarzabal, while Adnan Januzaj is also vying for a start at the weekend.

Alaves should come in with a clean bill of health, and they are unlikely to make many changes after a strong showing against Sevilla.

They will continue to rely heavily on forward Joselu, who has kept them in the fight for survival with 12 goals from 27 La Liga appearances this term.

Real Sociedad possible starting lineup:

Remiro; Zubeldia, Elustondo, Normand, Rico; Silva, Merino, Illarramendi; Januzaj, Isak, Oyarzabal

Alaves possible starting lineup:

Pacheco; Tenaglia, Laguardia, Lejeune, Duarte; Mendez, Escalante, Pons, Loum, Rioja; Joselu

We say: Real Sociedad 1-0 Alaves

Sunday's visitors certainly put up an impressive display to hold Sevilla, and they will hope to do the same here, but we see them falling short this time.

La Real will be wounded from their thrashing last time out, and with the need for a victory in their top-four fight, Alguacil's side should have what it takes to get over the line.