Villarreal will be boosted by the fact Spain will have at least five teams in the UEFA Champions League (UCL) next season, as they welcome Real Sociedad to the Estadio de la Ceramica in La Liga on Easter Sunday.
Indeed, the Yellow Submarine are in fifth place in the table, which as it stands, would secure them a place in Europe's elite competition. They are also unbeaten in three games after an impressive 2-1 win away at sixth-placed Real Betis last time out.
Sociedad are also chasing European spots and are currently two points and two places away from them in ninth. A 2-0 defeat at home to Mallorca last time out was their first in five matches in all competitions, and has slightly disrupted their momentum.
No draws in the previous seven H2Hs suggests one of these teams are going to get a big three points, but with Sociedad getting the better of Villarreal in the reverse fixture, the pendulum could swing either way.
How the bookies view it: Villarreal odds-on favourites
Perhaps unsurprisingly given their home advantage and superior position in the table, Villarreal are 7/10 odds-on favourites with BoyleSports to take all three points. A draw is valued at 13/5 with the same bookmaker, while a Sociedad victory is priced at 10/3.
Recent head-to-head: Sociedad just victorious
Sociedad won the reverse fixture 1-0 at home in January, with Takefusa Kubo scoring the winner just six minutes into the second half, assisted by captain Mikel Oyarzabal.
The Japanese star has netted twice in the last three H2Hs, and can be backed to score anytime at 4/1 with BoyleSports.
Players to watch: Goalscorers on show
Thierno Barry has netted in each of Villarreal's last two wins, and the hosts will be relying on him in the absence of the reliable Ayoze Perez.
Oyarzabal has scored three goals in Sociedad's last two away games, and could combine with Kubo again to get the goals needed to beat Villarreal.
Predicted lineups
Raul Albiol is awaiting medical clearance before being able to feature, but he could join star names like Alex Baena and Perez on the injury list.
Martin Zubimendi is suspended in a big low for Sociedad, while Alvaro Odriozola is trying to recover from a muscle issue, but could join a number of key names on the treatment table.
Villarreal: Junior, Cardona, Costa, Foyth, Kiko, Suarez, Parejo, Comesana, Pino, Barry, Moreno.
Real Sociedad: Remiro, Munoz, Elustondo, Martin, Aramburu, Marin, Sucic, Barrenetxea, Mendes, Kubo, Oyarzabal.
Anything else catch the eye?
With the quality in attack on show, both teams will be confident of scoring, and Both Teams To Score (BTTS) can be backed at 5/6 with BoyleSports. Over 3.5 total goals can also be backed at 23/10 with the same bookmaker.
This La Liga match between Villarreal and Real Sociedad will be played on and kick off at 15:15. Check below for our tipsters best Villarreal vs Real Sociedad prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
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