Villarreal vs Real Sociedad prediction: SPAIN: LaLiga betting tips on match 2025-04-19 14:15.
[p]With La Liga currently on course to secure an extra place in next year’s UEFA Champions League, fifth-placed Villarreal’s come-from-behind 2-1 win over closest chasers Real Betis was crucial. Marcelino’s men established a three-point gap in the process despite having played a game fewer, but that margin could quickly erode if they can’t halt a three-game winless run on home soil (D2, L1).[/p]
[p]Just 21 of their 51 points this term have been won at Estadio de la Cerámica, but history would hint at a change of fortunes here as the Yellow Submarine have never previously gone four without a La Liga win in Marcelino’s second tenure. That’s a record that’s certainly under threat despite the manager’s career-high 13 H2H wins against Real Sociedad in the league (D6, L2), as Villarreal have won just one of the last six H2Hs on their own turf in La Liga (D1, L4).[/p]
[p]Sociedad won the reverse fixture 1-0 in January and travel with the added incentive of knowing they could do the top-flight double over Villarreal for the first time ever with victory here. Imanol Alguacil’s men are in need of the victory to keep their own European qualification hopes alive, as a 2-0 reverse to fellow contenders Mallorca last week prevented La Real from climbing into the top seven.[/p]
[p]The Basque outfit hit the road looking for a third successive unbeaten away match (W1, D1), though five consecutive league losses on their travels prior hint there may be some vulnerability to Sociedad here. Not least when considering the stature of their opponents, as La Real are yet to beat a side beginning this round in the top 13 away from home (D2, L7), failing to score in seven of those matches.[/p]
[p]Players to watch: With top scorer Ayoze Pérez an injury doubt, ten-goal striker Thierno Barry shoulders extra responsibility here, but just two of his last eight strikes came at home. The decisive goal in this season’s reverse fixture was one of three Takefusa Kubo has scored against Villarreal, more than he’s managed against any other opponent in La Liga.[/p]
[p]Hot stat: Ahead of the round, only Atlético Madrid (11) have won more points with goals in the last five minutes than Villarreal (seven).[/p]
[p][i]Written by Ryan Fisher[/i][/p]