Real Sociedad will be bidding to bounce back from their defeat against Real Madrid when they continue their La Liga campaign at home to Las Palmas on Saturday afternoon.
The hosts are sixth in the La Liga table, two points ahead of seventh-placed Real Betis, while Las Palmas sit 14th, 11 points clear of the relegation zone with five games left.
Match preview
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Real Sociedad were beaten 1-0 at home by Real Madrid last time out, with the Basque outfit's winless run in Spain's top flight stretching to three matches, which has all but ended their already-slim hopes of gatecrashing the top four in the latter stages of the campaign.
Imanol Alguacil's side are sixth in the table, seven points behind fifth-placed Athletic Bilbao and 13 points behind fourth-placed Atletico Madrid, so their focus will be on keeping hold of their current spot, which would bring direct qualification for the group stage of next season's Europa League.
The White and Blues are only two points ahead of seventh-placed Real Betis, though, while Valencia in eighth are just four points behind, so a lot could change over the next couple of matches.
Real Sociedad, who finished fourth in La Liga last season, have only won six of their 16 home league fixtures this term, with consistency proving to be an issue in front of their own fans.
La Real have a tough end to the campaign, meanwhile, facing Barcelona, Valencia, Real Betis and Atletico in their four games after this one, which demonstrates the importance of securing all three points here.
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Las Palmas are currently the most out-of-form side in La Liga, having suffered six straight losses, including a 2-0 defeat to Girona last time out, while they are winless since February 10.
Garcia Pimienta's side look to have enough credit in the bank due to their strong form in the first half of the campaign, though, so there are no serious relegation fears heading into the final straight.
Los Amarillos are 14th in the La Liga table on 37 points, 11 points ahead of 18th-placed Cadiz with five games left, and only a huge turnaround would see them drop into trouble at this late stage of the season.
Las Palmas are therefore heading for back-to-back seasons in the top flight following their promotion last term, and they are now looking to consolidate at this level once again.
Pio Pio held Real Sociedad to a goalless draw when the two sides locked horns earlier this season, but they have not managed to overcome the Basque outfit in Spain's top flight since March 2016.
Team News
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Real Sociedad will again be missing five players through injury this weekend, with Aihen Munoz, Kieran Tierney, Hamari Traore, Martin Merquelanz and Carlos Fernandez out of the contest.
The hosts will also have to work around the absence of Igor Zubeldia, who will serve a one-match suspension due to the yellow card that he picked up in the clash with Real Madrid last time out.
Zubeldia's absence is expected to lead to Aritz Elustondo coming into the back four, while there could be a change in the final third of the field, with Sheraldo Becker potentially being introduced down the left.
As for Las Palmas, on-loan Barcelona defender Julian Araujo remains a doubt, but the visitors are otherwise in strong shape, having not reported any fresh fitness issues.
There are expected to be changes from the side that started against Girona last time out, with Munir El Haddadi and Sergi Cardona both likely to return to the XI.
Sandro Ramirez and Daley Sinkgraven could be the two players to drop down to the bench, with Marvin Park again expected to feature in an advanced area down the right.
Real Sociedad possible starting lineup:
Remiro; Odriozola, Elustondo, Le Normand, Galan; Benat, Zubimendi, Merino; Kubo, Oyarzabal, Becker
Las Palmas possible starting lineup:
Valles; Suarez, Coco, Marmol, S Cardona; Park, Munoz, Perrone, K Rodriguez, Moleiro; Munir
We say: Real Sociedad 2-0 Las Palmas
Real Sociedad are not exactly flying at the moment, but the Basque outfit will fancy their chances of overcoming a seriously out-of-form Las Palmas outfit. The hosts need the points to boost their hopes of securing Europa League football for next season, and we are expecting them to win this weekend.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Matt Law
