Real Sociedad vs Villarreal Predictions

• Real Sociedad have failed to win four of their last five La Liga home games
• Villarreal have avoided defeat in seven of their 12 away league games, including their last two
• Villarreal have lost only one of their last five matches at Reale Arena

Lack of goals could haunt the hosts

Villarreal are capable of grinding out another point on Friday when they face a Real Sociedad side whose home form has deserted them of late.

Imanol Alguacil’s side moved back into sixth place in La Liga with a 2-1 win at Real Mallorca last week, but the Basque outfit have not won at Reale Arena since November. It took a very late goal from Mikel Merino to secure the points at San Moix, despite Mallorca being down to 10 men from the 45th minute and coming into the game with only one win in six.

La Real’s recent problems stem from a lack of goals with last week’s double taking their tally to a paltry five in their last nine league games. Defensively, they remain among the best in Spain as a record of only five goals conceded in their last 10 illustrates.

Villarreal can avoid defeat

Villarreal, meanwhile, will look to continue a recent upturn in their away fortunes after a famous 5-3 win at Barcelona’s temporary home at the end of January and a 1-1 draw at Alaves a fortnight ago. Marcelino’s men are unbeaten in five overall and created plenty of chances for an away side on their previous trip to the Basque Country.

The Yellow Submarines have scored in seven of their last eight away league fixtures and one strike may be enough to secure at least a point against their relatively impotent opponents. Real Sociedad have recorded nine fewer shots on target than Villarreal and scored three fewer goals over the course of the campaign, despite being seven places and 14 points better off.

The underlying statistics indicate Real Sociedad’s position in the table may be unsustainable ahead of this contest where Villarreal’s chances of avoiding defeat are very real.