Villarreal and Real Sociedad face each other yet again in a battle to play in European competition (Sunday, 4:15pm CEST)
Villarreal and Real Sociedad meet again this Sunday in an important duel for the European aspirations of both teams (4:15pm CEST at the Estadio de la Cerámica). A classic clash in the fight for continental football in recent seasons, in which both teams always reach the final stretch of the season with their sights set on a place in Europe.
This season, the Submarine go into the second half of the season with 51 points. They are 10 points clear of Real Sociedad, who are in ninth and, unlike the Yellows, have played in the UEFA Europa League this season, losing to Manchester United in the Round of 16.
The Groguets arrive at the clash against the Basque team after an impressive victory over Real Betis at the Benito Villamarin (1-2), thanks to goals from Thierno Barry and Ayoze Pérez, in a crucial duel in the fight for fifth place, which presumably for the first time in Spain will give access to the Champions League.
The situation is different for the club from San Sebastián, who lost 0-2 at home to RCD Mallorca last time out at the Reale Arena. Prior to that defeat, Imanol Alguacil’s side had won twice against teams in the bottom half of the table: UD Las Palmas (1-3) and Real Valladolid (2-1). From ninth position, Real Sociedad are in the fight for the Europa League, which will theoretically seventh place would give them.
The need to improve at home to get into the Champions League
Marcelino’s side will be looking to improve their home form in an attempt to secure fifth place. Paradoxically, the Submarine have been stronger away from La Cerámica than in front of their home fans.
The Yellows are the second best away side in the league, behind only leaders FC Barcelona. They have won nine of their 16 away games, while in Vila-real they have only managed to win five of their 14 home games.
However, the Submarine will play five of their last eight league games at the Estadio de la Cerámica. It is therefore vital for Villarreal to be able to improve their home record against Real Sociedad, Espanyol, Osasuna, Leganés and Sevilla.
Precedents do not smile on the Submarine at La Cerámica
When the two sides have met at the Estadio de la Cerámica, the Basques have come out on top in four of the last six seasons. In three of them with a 1-2 result. The other was last season, when Real Sociedad took advantage of the Yellows’ poor form to beat them 3-0.
The last time Villarreal beat Real Sociedad at home was two seasons ago. The Groguets came out on top at the end of the season and overcame their opponents 2-0 with goals from Parejo and an in-form Nico Jackson, who enjoyed an impressive end to the campaign.
The duels have been very different at the Reale Arena, where the Submarine have won four of the last seven seasons. This season, however, they lost by the narrowest of margins with a solitary goal from ex-Groguet Take Kubo (1-0).
