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Sports Mole previews Monday's La Liga clash between Real Sociedad and Villarreal, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Villarreal will be bidding to make it successive victories in La Liga when they head to Real Sociedad on Monday evening, and this contest will represent the Yellow Submarine's first match of 2025.

Indeed, while Real Sociedad were in Copa del Rey action at the start of this month, Villarreal have had an extended period of rest, as Marcelino's side were surprisingly knocked out in the second round of the cup competition by Pontevedra.

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Match preview

Real Sociedad have a record of seven wins, four draws and seven defeats from their 18 matches in Spain's top flight this season, with a total of 25 points leaving them eighth in the La Liga table, three points behind seventh-placed Girona.

Finding the back of the net has been a real problem for Imanol Alguacil's side this term, only managing 16 in their 18 matches, which is the joint-third worst attacking record behind Getafe (11) and Real Valladolid (13).

However, the Basque side have been strong down the other end of the field, conceding only 13, which represents the second-best defensive record behind Atletico Madrid (12).

Real Sociedad suffered a 2-0 defeat to Celta Vigo in their last league match on December 21, but they were winners last time out, beating Ponferradina 2-0 in the Copa del Rey to book their spot in the round of 16; the White and Blues will now tackle Rayo Vallecano for a position in the quarter-finals next week.

Alguacil's side have underwhelmed on home soil this season, only picking up 11 points from their nine matches in front of their own supporters, while Villarreal have been strong on their travels, securing 17 points from nine games.

Villarreal's second-round exit from the Copa del Rey means that the Yellow Submarine have not taken to the field since recording a 5-2 success over Leganes in Spain's top flight on December 22.

The victory ended a six-game winless run in all competitions and left them in fifth spot in the La Liga table, boasting 30 points from their 18 matches courtesy of a record of eight wins, six draws and four defeats.

Villarreal have been an excellent watch in La Liga this season, scoring 34, which is the third-best attacking record in the league behind Barcelona (51) and Real Madrid (43), but they have conceded 30, with only Alaves (31) and Real Valladolid (37) shipping more goals in Spain's top flight during the 2024-25 campaign.

Marcelino's side have won five of their nine away league games this season, with only Barcelona (seven) managing more successes on their travels, so the visitors should enter this match full of confidence.

Villarreal also beat Real Sociedad 3-1 in the corresponding match during the 2023-24 campaign, and they will be aiming to make it back-to-back away wins over the Basque team for the first time since January 2020.

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Team News

Real Sociedad will be missing Hamari Traore through injury, while Martin Zubimendi is a doubt due to a rib problem, but the home side did not pick up any fresh fitness problems in their Copa del Rey clash last time out.

Igor Zubeldia is out due to a suspension, though, which could mean that Javi Lopez switches to the centre-back spot alongside Jon Pacheco, with Aihen Munoz coming in at left-back.

Mikel Oyarzabal is again set to lead the line for the hosts, with Takefusa Kubo and Orri Oskarsson expected to be among the attacking options in reserve for Monday night's La Liga contest.

As for Villarreal, Willy Kambwala is back from suspension, but Yeremy Pino is now out with a ban of his own.

Nicolas Pepe, Ramon Terrats, Ilias Akhomach and Alfonso Pedraza will also be missing due to injury problems, but there is a chance that Ayoze Perez and Diego Conde could be back involved on Monday night.

Thierno Barry scored three times in the 5-2 success over Leganes last time out, and he is certain to keep his spot in the final third, with Perez set to join him in a front two if the Spaniard is able to prove his fitness.

Pau Cabanes could benefit from Pino's absence, while Gerard Moreno will also be in the thinking of head coach Marcelino.

Real Sociedad possible starting lineup:
Remiro; Aramburu, Pacheco, J Lopez, Munoz; S Gomez, Mendez, Benat, Sucic, Barrenetxea; Oyarzabal

Villarreal possible starting lineup:
Junior; Femenia, Albiol, Costa, S Cardona; Cabanes, Comesana, Gueye, Baena; Perez, Barry

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We say: Real Sociedad 1-1 Villarreal

This is a really tough match to call, and we are finding it difficult to separate them. There has not actually been a league draw between these two sides since January 2021, with each of the last six top-flight meetings producing a winner, but we have a feeling that the points will be shared on Monday night.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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