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NederlandReal Sociedad will be looking to bounce back from Thursday's four-goal loss to Manchester United in the Europa League when they continue their La Liga campaign at home to Alaves on Sunday afternoon.
Imanol Alguacil's side have won their last two in La Liga to keep hold of fifth position, but they suffered a 4-0 defeat to Man United in the first leg of their last-32 Europa League clash in Turin last time out.
Match preview
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Sociedad will need a miracle at Old Trafford next week to overturn a four-goal deficit, and it does appear that the Basque club's European journey for the 2020-21 campaign will come to an end in Manchester.
Alguacil's side still have plenty to play for in the league, though, as they currently sit fifth in the table, two points clear of sixth-placed Villarreal and five clear of Real Betis in seventh.
The gap to fourth-placed Sevilla is seven points, and it is very difficult to imagine Sociedad claiming a Champions League spot, but they will be determined to keep hold of fifth to ensure a European position for next season.
La Real, as mentioned, have won their last two in Spain's top flight, thumping Cadiz 4-1 at home on February 7 before recording a 1-0 win over Getafe in the Spanish capital last weekend.
The two-time Spanish champions have only been victorious in one of their last three league matches with Alaves, though, and the points were shared in a goalless draw when they locked horns earlier this season.
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Alaves, meanwhile, will enter this weekend's contest off the back of a 5-1 defeat at Barcelona last weekend, which has left the visitors down in 16th position in the table.
Abelardo's side had actually entered the clash at Camp Nou off the back of a win over Real Valladolid, but they struggled to contain the Catalan giants, with Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann in impressive form.
El Glorioso are currently in their fifth straight season at this level of football, but they ended the 2019-20 campaign in 16th, just three points clear of the relegation zone and are in a battle for survival once again.
Indeed, a total of 22 points from 23 matches has left them in 16th position, just one point clear of 18th-placed Valladolid, while they are also just five points ahead of basement side Huesca.
Real Sociedad La Liga form: DLDDWW
Real Sociedad form (all competitions): DLDWWL
Alaves La Liga form: LLLDWL
Alaves form (all competitions): LLLDWL
Team News
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Sociedad will be without the services of Ander Barrenetxea this weekend through suspension, while Luca Sangalli, Miguel Moya and Aritz Elustondo will miss out through injury.
Alguacil is expected to keep faith with the majority of the side that started against Man United in the Europa League, with David Silva, Asier Illarramendi and Mikel Merino all featuring in midfield.
Portu could replace Adnan Januzaj in the front three, though, and there is also likely to be a change at right-back with Andoni Gorosabel coming in for Joseba Zaldua.
As for Alaves, Rodrigo Ely will again be absent through injury, while Ximo Navarro is also a doubt, meaning that Martin Aguirregabiria could feature at right-back.
Head coach Abelardo is expected to make changes to the side that started against Barca last weekend, with Luis Rioja, who was on the scoresheet at Camp Nou, coming into the XI.
Victor Laguardia could also be handed a starting role in the middle of the defence, but there are unlikely to be alterations in attack as Joselu and Lucas Perez prepare to line up as the front two once again.
Real Sociedad possible starting lineup:
Remiro; Gorosabel, Zubeldia, Le Normand, Monreal; D Silva, Illarramendi, Merino; Portu, Isak, Oyarzabal
Alaves possible starting lineup:
Pacheco; Aguirregabiria, Laguardia, Lejeune, Duarte; Mendez, M Garcia, Pina, Rioja; Perez, Joselu
We say: Real Sociedad 1-0 Alaves
Sociedad will be determined to bounce back from the disappointing loss to Man United, and they will be eyeing a third straight success in Spain's top flight. Alaves have lost four of their last six La Liga games on their travels, and we can see Alguacil's team picking up all three points on Sunday afternoon.
