Real Sociedad will be looking to bounce back from Wednesday's loss to Barcelona when they continue their La Liga campaign away to Levante on Saturday evening.

The Basque club remain second in the table after a strong start, but they are without a win in their last four games in Spain's top flight, while Levante's last league game ended in a 1-0 defeat to Barca.

Match preview

Levante have picked up just 11 points from their 12 league matches this season to sit 18th in the table, but Paco Lopez's side will enter this game off the back of three encouraging performances.

Indeed, a 3-0 home win over Getafe on December 5 was followed by a narrow 1-0 defeat at Barca last weekend, with Lionel Messi's second-half strike deciding a tight game at Camp Nou.

Levante thumped Racing Murcia 5-0 in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday night, meanwhile, to book their spot in the second round of the competition.

The Frogs have finished 15th, 15th and 12th in Spain's top flight since securing a return for the 2017-18 campaign, but they have only won two of their 12 league matches this season and will not want to be inside the relegation zone heading into 2021.

Sociedad, meanwhile, have won seven, drawn five and lost two of their 14 league matches this season to sit second in the table, level on points with division leaders Atletico Madrid.

The Basque outfit are the leading scorers in the league this season with 24 goals, but they are without a win since beating Cadiz on November 22, picking up just three points from their last four matches.

Indeed, three straight draws with Villarreal, Alaves and Eibar were followed by a 2-1 defeat at Barca on Wednesday night, with Jordi Alba and Frenkie de Jong scoring the goals for Ronald Koeman's side after Willian Jose had made the breakthrough in the 27th minute of the contest.

Sociedad will be even more determined to return to winning ways considering that their next match after this one is at home to current leaders Atletico on December 22.

Imanol Alguacil's side also have a Europa League two-legged affair with Manchester United to look forward to in the new year, having been paired with the English giants in the round of 32.

Levante La Liga form: DDDDWL
Levante form (all competitions): DDDWLW

Real Sociedad La Liga form: WWDDDL
Real Sociedad form (all competitions): DDDDDL

Team News

Levante are still without the services of Jose Campana through injury, while Enis Bardhi and Cheick Doukoure remain doubts for the home side.

As expected, head coach Lopez rang the changes for Wednesday's Copa del Rey clash, but the likes of Coke, Roger Marti, Jorge de Frutos and Gonzalo Melero will be back in the side for this match.

The XI is likely to have a similar look to the one that started against Barca last weekend, although Jose Luis Morales is pushing for a spot in the final third of the field.

As for Sociedad, a lengthy injury list includes Miguel Moya, Jon Guridi and Luca Sangalli, while David Silva, Aritz Elustondo, Mikel Oyarzabal and Asier Illarramendi are all doubts.

There is a chance that Alguacil will again be missing all seven this weekend, meaning that the bulk of the side that started against Barca should take to the field once again.

Modibo Sagnan is pushing for a spot in defence, though, and there could also be a start at right-back for Joseba Zaldua, with Andoni Gorosabel and Igor Zubeldia potentially dropping out.

Willian Jose was on the scoresheet at Camp Nou and should again get the nod over Alexander Isak.

Levante possible starting lineup:
Aitor; Coke, Vezo, Postigo, Clerc; De Frutos, Vukcevic, Malsa, Melero; Morales, Marti

Real Sociedad possible starting lineup:
Remiro; Zaldua, Sagnan, Le Normand, Munoz; Merino, Guevara, Zubimendi; Januzaj, Willian Jose, Portu

We say: Levante 1-2 Real Sociedad

Sociedad are without a win in their last seven matches in all competitions, but it is difficult to back Levante with any real confidence considering their position in the table. The home side are capable of pulling off a surprise result, but we fancy Sociedad to just edge their way towards all three points.

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