Preview: Huesca vs. Real Sociedad - prediction, team news, lineups

Real Sociedad will travel to Aragon this weekend for their La Liga clash against Huesca at El Alcoraz.

Three points for fifth-placed La Real could go a long way towards securing European football next season, while a win for Huesca would be a huge scalp in their pursuit of top-flight survival.

Match preview

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Imanol Alguacil's La Real side have had a rollercoaster of a campaign in Spain's top division, spending an equal amount of time fighting for the title and, latterly, fighting for any recognition at all.

While the team did drop off, losing steam as the season progressed, Alguacil's men look to have now plateaued in fifth place as they continue to fight for European football next term.

Fortunately for La Real, the team looks more than capable of achieving that goal, but they will need to see off late challenges from Real Betis and Villarreal.

Last time out, La Real inched past bottom-placed Eibar, winning 1-0 thanks to a 26th-minute strike from Alexander Isak.

It is safe to assume that three points this weekend will require much more of a solid performance against a Huesca side that definitely poses more of a threat.

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After a string of positive results, the great Huesca escape looked like it had legs, but following three consecutive losses in La Liga, Huesca once again look like prime relegation candidates.

Pacheta's men have failed to score in over 270 minutes of top-flight football and any hope that they may have of pulling off a miracle is rapidly fading.

Against relegation rivals Getafe last time out, Huesca were comprehensively beaten 2-0 by Jose Bordalas's side, forcing them closer to the dreaded Segunda Division.

During that tie, Huesca managed to notch up just one shot on target, and despite coming away with the lion's share of possession (70%), Getafe were much the superior outfit on the day.

Currently treading water in 19th place, Huesca will desperately need to pick up the three points this weekend if they are to keep the dream of survival alive.

Team News

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Alguacil will be able to call on the likes of Aritz Elustondo and Carlos Fernandez for this tie, with both players available again having served suspensions.

Other absentees for La Real include midfield maestros Mikel Merino and David Silva and others such as Aihen Munoz and Asier Illarramendi.

For Huesca, Javier Ontiveros is out with a knock while Pablo Maffeo is out with a shoulder injury.

Key men Rafa Mir, Javi Galan and Jaime Seoane are all expected to start this weekend.

Huesca possible starting lineup:
Fernandez; Vavro, Pulido, Insua; Lopez, Galan, Mosquera, Ferreiro, Seoane; Sandro, Mir

Real Sociedad possible starting lineup:
Alex Remiro; Gorosabel, Zubeldia, Le Normand, Monreal; Oyarzabal, Zubimendi, Guevara, Barrenetxea; Portu, Isak

We say: Huesca 2-0 Real Sociedad

Huesca have been wont to play in strange cycles this season, with positive spells undermined by long periods of mediocrity. We think Pacheta's men will be up for this one, keeping the dream of the great Huescape alive and kicking - for now anyway.