Real Sociedad will be aiming to return to winning ways in La Liga when they travel to Celta Vigo on Saturday afternoon.
The Basque outfit drew 0-0 with Las Palmas last time out, and they currently sit seventh in the La Liga table, boasting 25 points from 17 matches, while 13th-placed Celta suffered a 1-0 defeat to Sevilla in their last match.
Match preview
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Celta have been an entertaining watch in La Liga this season, scoring 25 times and conceding 28 in their 17 matches, with a total of 21 points leaving them in 13th position in the table.
The Vigo outfit have won six, drawn three and lost eight of their 17 league matches this term, and they will enter this contest off the back of a 1-0 loss to Sevilla, with Manu Bueno netting the winner in the 65th minute of that fixture.
Claudio Giraldez's side have been impressive on home soil this season, picking up 17 points from their nine games in front of their own fans, recording five wins in the process.
Celta have finished 13th in their last two campaigns, but they will believe that a top-half spot is achievable this term considering the strength of their squad, particularly in the forward areas.
The Sky Blues have not actually beaten Real Sociedad in the league since June 2020, though, and they suffered a 1-0 defeat in the corresponding fixture during the 2023-24 campaign.
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Real Sociedad, meanwhile, saw a five-game winning run in all competitions brought to a halt last weekend, when they played out a goalless draw with Las Palmas in Spain's top flight.
Imanol Alguacil's side are currently seventh in the La Liga table, boasting a record of seven wins, four draws and six defeats from their 17 matches, which has brought them 25 points - the same as eighth-placed Osasuna.
The Basque team are only two points behind fifth-placed Villarreal on the same number of games, and their success this term has been built on a strong defensive record, conceding just 11 times in their 17 matches, which is the joint-best record in the division alongside second-placed Atletico Madrid.
Real Sociedad have struggled down the other end, netting just 16 times, which is the joint-fifth worst attacking record, and that will need to improve in order to be serious challengers for a European finish in the second half of the season.
The White and Blues, who finished sixth last season, actually have the fourth-best away record in La Liga this term, picking up 14 points from eight matches, while they have incredibly only conceded twice on their travels this season.
Team News
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Celta will be without the services of Sergio Carreira, Jailson and Javi Manquillo for Saturday's contest, while Damian Rodriguez, Joseph Aidoo and Mihailo Ristic are major doubts.
Jonathan Bamba and Borja Iglesias are among the attacking options to start on the bench against Sevilla, but Giraldez is likely to resist the temptation to make changes to his XI.
Iago Aspas is still going strong for Celta at the age of 37, scoring six goals and registering three assists in 16 La Liga appearances this season, and the experienced forward should earn another start here.
As for Real Sociedad, Aritz Elustondo, Arsen Zakharyan and Hamari Traore will miss the contest through injury, while Jon Pacheco is a major doubt for the visitors this weekend.
Mikel Oyarzabal should again lead the line for the Basque outfit, while Takefusa Kubo and Sergio Gomez are set to continue in the wide positions despite the team's attacking struggles against Las Palmas.
Ander Barrenetxea and Sheraldo Becker should again be the forward options off the bench, while Orri Oskarsson is available for selection once again after a recent spell on the sidelines.
Celta Vigo possible starting lineup:
Guaita; J Rodriguez, Starfelt, Alonso; Minqueza, Beltran, Moriba, Alvarez; Aspas, Duran, Swedberg
Real Sociedad possible starting lineup:
Remiro; Aramburu, Zubeldia, Aguerd, J Lopez; Kubo, Mendez, Zubimendi, Sucic, Gomez; Oyarzabal
We say: Celta Vigo 1-1 Real Sociedad
Two of the last three La Liga meetings between the two sides have finished level, and we are expecting a close match on Saturday. Real Sociedad will be looking for the win to boost their European hopes, but Celta have been strong in front of their own fans this season, and we are expecting the points to be shared this weekend.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Matt Law
