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

Real Sociedad will be looking to win in La Liga for the first time since the start of November when they welcome Celta Vigo to San Sebastian on Saturday afternoon.

The Basque outfit have only taken two points from their last six league matches to drop down to seventh spot in the table, while Celta occupy 12th, boasting 23 points from their opening 19 matches.

Match preview

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Real Sociedad had the look of potential title challengers earlier this season, with the Basque side making a brilliant start to the campaign, but their form has really dipped over the last few weeks.

Indeed, Imanol Alguacil's side are without a victory in La Liga since November 7, picking up just two points from their last six league games, including a 1-1 draw with Alaves on January 2.

Real Sociedad lost four straight league matches against Espanyol, Real Madrid, Real Betis and Villarreal between November 28 and December 18, and their disappointing run of form has seen them drop down to seventh spot in the table, now 16 points behind league leaders Real Madrid.

The White and Blues are only two points behind fourth-placed Atletico Madrid, though, and will still fancy their chances of staying in touch with the top four despite their disappointing form in recent weeks.

Real Sociedad have won their last three league games against Celta, including a 2-0 victory in the reverse match between the two sides in Vigo back in October.

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Celta, meanwhile, suffered a 2-1 defeat at Atletico Baleares in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday night, but their recent league form has been impressive, losing just one of their last eight in Spain's top flight.

The Sky Blues have won back-to-back games in La Liga, meanwhile, recording a 3-1 victory over Espanyol on December 17 before overcoming Real Betis at the start of January.

Celta have won six, drawn five and lost eight of their 19 league matches this season to collect 23 points, which has left them in 12th position in the table, seven points behind their opponents here.

Eduardo Coudet's side finished eighth in Spain's top flight last season, and they certainly have the quality in the forward areas to make a challenge for a top-seven finish this term.

Iago Aspas has again been in impressive form for Celta this season, finding the back of the net on 10 occasions in La Liga, while Santi Mina has scored six times in his 18 league outings in 2021-22.

Team News

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Real Sociedad will again be missing Ander Barrenetxea, Andoni Gorosabel, Alex Sola, Nacho Monreal and Carlos Fernandez for this weekend's contest.

Mikel Oyarzabal has returned from coronavirus, though, and should feature in the final third of the field, with Alexander Isak and Adnan Januzaj expected to make up the front three.

There are not likely to be any major surprises in the home side's XI, with David Silva and Mikel Merino again featuring in midfield, while Joseba Zaldua could be given the nod at right-back.

As for Celta, eight players are expected to return following positive COVID-19 tests, including Fran Beltran and Brais Mendez, but Nestor Araujo, Augusto Solari and Ruben Blanco remain doubts.

Mendez is expected to return in a midfield area for the visitors, with Nolito starting on the bench, and Aspas and Mina featuring as the front two.

Araujo will start in the middle of the defence, providing that he can prove his fitness, while Denis Suarez and Franco Cervi are expected to feature in midfield for the visitors.

Real Sociedad possible starting lineup:
Remiro; Zaldua, Elustondo, Le Normand, Rico; Merino, Silva, Guevara; Oyarzabal, Isak, Januzaj

Celta Vigo possible starting lineup:
Dituro; Mallo, Aidoo, Araujo, Galan; Tapia; Mendez, Suarez, Cervi; Aspas, Mina

We say: Real Sociedad 2-1 Celta Vigo

Real Sociedad are certainly due a victory in Spain's top flight, and we believe that it will come against Celta this weekend. The visitors have been in impressive form and will again carry a threat in the final third, but we have a feeling that the Basque outfit will emerge victorious at the end of the 90 minutes.

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