La Liga | Gameweek 32

Apr 20, 2025 at 3.15pm UK

Estadio de la Ceramica

Villarreal vs Real Sociedad

Match preview

Villarreal have received a huge boost as fifth place in La Liga has been confirmed as a Champions League spot, with the Yellow Submarine currently qualifying for the league phase of next season's competition.

Marcelino's men have won 14, drawn nine and lost seven of their 30 league games this term to finish fifth, six points behind fourth-placed Athletic Bilbao and three ahead of sixth-placed Real Betis.

Sixth and seventh place in the La Liga stand for Europa League qualification, while the eighth-placed team will qualify for the Conference League play-offs, but there is no doubt that the Champions League is the team's main objective this season.

Villarreal come into this game on the back of a 2-1 win over Real Betis, which took them seven points from their last three games, and they now have two important games against Real Sociedad and Celta Vigo in quick succession.

The Yellow Submarine have won just five of their 14 La Liga home matches this season, but Real Sociedad have also been underwhelming on the road, taking just 18 points from 15 games.

Real Sociedad come into the game on the back of a 2-0 home defeat to Mallorca, which ended a four-match unbeaten run in all competitions for the Basque side, who have struggled to find their best form for much of the season.

Imanol Alguacil's side may not be involved in a top-five battle at the moment, as they sit 10 points adrift of fifth-placed Villarreal, but they are just two points behind eighth-placed Mallorca and seventh-placed Celta Vigo, so European football is still within their grasp next season.

Real Sociedad have struggled to find the back of the net this season, scoring just 30 times, the third-worst attacking record in the league, and will face a Villarreal side that has netted 53 times in La Liga this term.

La Real recorded a 1-0 victory over Villarreal in the reverse fixture earlier this season, while the Basque side won 3-0 in the 2023-24 campaign.

Recent Performance

Villarreal La Liga form:WLLWDW

Real Sociedad La Liga form:LLDWWL

Real Sociedad form (all competitions):LDWDWL

Team News

Villarreal will welcome back Papa Gueye after the midfielder served his suspension against Real Betis, but Ilias Akhomach remains on the sidelines with a long-term knee injury.

Gerard Moreno, Alex Baena, Ayoze Perez, Alfonso Pedraza and Raul Albiol are also all sidelined, meaning the home side could be without a number of key players for Sunday's clash.

Perez is expected to shake off an injury problem to continue in the final third of the field, but Pedraza's likely absence could open the door for Denis Suarez to start.

Real Sociedad will be without Martin Zubimendi, who is serving a suspension, while Arsen Zakharyan and Sheraldo Becker are ruled out through injury.

Nayef Aguerd, Ander Barrenetxea, Igor Zubeldia and Alvaro Odriozola will also have to be assessed, while Real Sociedad also have a number of availability concerns ahead of this weekend's clash.

Mikel Oyarzabal will lead the away side's line on Sunday, with Pablo Marin in the number 10 spot, but Barrenetxea's expected absence should open the door for Sergio Gomez to make an appearance.

Possible starting lineup

Villarreal possible starting lineup:

Luiz Junior; Femenia, Foyth, L Costa, S Cardona; Pino, Comesana, Parejo, Suarez; Barry, Perez

Real Sociedad possible starting lineup:

Remiro; Aramburu, Martin, Elustondo, Munoz; Sucic, Benat; Kubo, Marin, S Gomez; Oyarzabal