Real Sociedad will be bidding to make it nine straight wins in all competitions when they continue their La Liga campaign away to Real Valladolid on Saturday afternoon.
The visitors are currently third in the table, boasting 22 points from their first 10 matches, while Real Valladolid occupy 11th position, collecting 11 points from their first 10 games of the campaign.
Match preview
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Real Valladolid secured a return to La Liga for the 2022-23 campaign due to their second-place finish in the Segunda Division last term, and they will be looking to consolidate at the top level this season.
The White and Violets have shown plenty of positive signs early in the campaign, with a record of three wins, two draws and five defeats from 10 matches bringing them 11 points, which is enough for 11th in the table.
Pacheta's side will enter this contest off the back of a 4-1 victory over Celta Vigo on Wednesday night, with Roque Mesa and Joaquin Fernandez scoring before Sergio Leon netted a late brace.
Real Valladolid have now been victorious in two of their last four in the league, suffering just one defeat in the process, and they will take on Real Sociedad, Osasuna, Elche and Athletic Bilbao in their final matches before the campaign breaks for the 2022 World Cup.
Pucela have not actually beaten Real Sociedad in the league since December 2018, but they did hold the Basque side to a 1-1 draw in the corresponding game between the two sides during the 2020-21 season.
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Real Valladolid will enter this match off the back of a strong result, but Real Sociedad are flying at the moment, winning each of their last eight games in all competitions.
Imanol Alguacil's side are in pole position in their Europa League section, sitting top of Group E with 12 points, and they are bidding to finish above Manchester United to automatically qualify for the knockout round.
The White and Blues have also been victorious in their last five league matches, beating Espanyol, Girona, Villarreal, Celta and Mallorca during an excellent run of form.
Mikel Merino's fourth-minute effort was enough to overcome Mallorca at Reale Arena on Wednesday night, with the result leaving Real Sociedad in third position in the table, level on points (22) with second-placed Barcelona.
The Basque outfit have finished sixth, fifth and sixth in their last three La Liga campaigns and have not claimed fourth since 2012-13, but they will fancy their chances of battling for a Champions League finish this term.
Team News
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Real Valladolid were missing Ivan Fresneda, Kenedy, Sergio Asenjo, Luis Perez and Anuar Tuhami through injury against Celta, and all five are likely to remain on the sidelines for this match.
Head coach Pacheta will have been delighted with what he saw against Celta, so it is likely to be close to the same XI for this match, with Alvaro Aguado set to keep his spot in midfield.
However, there could be a change in the final third of the field, with Leon, who scored a brace off the bench on Wednesday night, potentially taking the place of Sergi Guardiola for the first whistle.
As for Real Sociedad, Aihen Munoz, Alex Sola, Ander Martin, Martin Merquelanz, Mohamed Cho and Umar Sadiq are all expected to miss the game through injury.
Mikel Oyarzabal is back in training after a long period on the sidelines due to a serious knee injury, but he is still not ready to be involved for the Basque club.
Martin Zubimendi is expected to come into the midfield this weekend, while Carlos Fernandez is pushing to be involved in the final third, but David Silva should ultimately keep hold of his starting role.
Real Valladolid possible starting lineup:
Masip; Rosa, Joaquin, Feddal, J Sanchez, Olaza; Perez, Mesa, Aguado; Leon, Weissman
Real Sociedad possible starting lineup:
Remiro; Gorosabel, Elustondo, Pacheco, Rico; Mendez, Zubimendi, D Silva, Merino; Sorloth, Kubo
We say: Real Valladolid 1-1 Real Sociedad
Real Sociedad's recent form has been excellent, but Real Valladolid will have been boosted by their impressive win over Celta last time out. The points were shared in a 1-1 draw when the two sides last locked horns at Estadio Jose Zorrilla, and we are predicting the same scoreline this weekend.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Matt Law
