Real Sociedad welcome Valencia to the Reale Arena on Sunday in LaLiga, three days after they held on against Manchester United to top their Europa League group.
Although the hosts lost to the Red Devils on Thursday, their 1-0 defeat was enough to keep the goal difference in their favour, while the visitors conceded in the 93rd minute last weekend, as they fell to an agonising defeat to Barcelona.
Match preview
© Reuters
It has been a bittersweet fortnight for Real Sociedad, who have lost three of their last four games in all competitions, while still securing qualification for the Europa League knockout stages as group winners.
Imanol Alguacil's men saw their club-record eight-game winning streak tumble at Real Valladolid two weeks ago, before they fell to a 2-0 defeat to top-four rivals Real Betis in front of their own fans.
That clinical, smash-and-grab win from Manuel Pellegrini's men saw Betis leapfrog La Real in a tight race for European qualification, with just three points separating Atletico Madrid in third and Osasuna in seventh.
The Txuri Urdin are without a league win since Mikel Merino powered home a header from a Brais Mendez cross against Mallorca in mid-October, and they will be looking for their two creative sparks to combine once more as they search for a first victory over Valencia in almost three years.
© Reuters
Gennaro Gattuso's Valencia have delighted and frustrated in equal measure this term, as exciting young players and experienced heads combine for their intense new coach.
Los Che have lost their last two in LaLiga, conceding late winners to both Barcelona and Mallorca at Mestalla, including a painful 83rd-minute strike from former youth product Kang-in Lee in the latter encounter.
Valencia were also unfortunate not to beat Sevilla four days earlier, as they missed a 102nd-minute penalty after a dramatic red card for academy product Kike Salas.
Nonetheless, as demonstrated by an electric capacity crowd for the visit of Barcelona last weekend, belief has come flooding back to Mestalla after a turbulent few years off the pitch, with Gattuso's possession-based style winning back supporters in their thousands.
22-year-old winger Samuel Lino has been particularly eye-catching so far this campaign, along with the legendary presence of Edinson Cavani up front. Both will be looking to make their mark as they visit a Real Sociedad side who have shown their weaknesses of late.
Team News
© Reuters
La Real's slight dip in form has largely coincided with injuries to influential creators David Silva and Takefusa Kubo, who will miss out again with thigh and shoulder issues respectively.
Those two key players will join the likes of Umar Sadiq, Mikel Oyarzabal, Mohamed-Ali Cho, Aihen Munoz and Ander Barrenetxea on the sidelines, as the Basque side continue to battle through a plague of injuries.
The visitors have been slightly more fortunate on the injury front but will have to make do without key central defender Mouctar Diakhaby, who is out with a hamstring issue.
Young midfielder Ilaix Moriba and Nico Gonzalez should also sit this contest out, while goalkeeper Jaume Domenech will remain sidelined until next summer with an anterior cruciate ligament tear.
Real Sociedad possible starting lineup:
Remiro; Rico, Le Normand, Zubeldia, Gorosabel; Zubimendi; Merino, Marin, Mendez; Sorloth, Fernandez
Valencia possible starting lineup:
Mamardashvili; Gaya, Paulista, Comert, Correia; Almeida, Guillamon, Musah; Lino, Cavani, Kluivert
We say: Real Sociedad 2-1 Valencia
We expect an even contest here, as a lively Valencia side look to capitalise on Real Sociedad's recent struggles.
Nonetheless, with the visitors' consistency problems proving difficult to shake off, we can see the home side grinding out a much-needed win.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
