LaLiga: Real Sociedad vs Villarreal preview

Real Sociedad can boost their European qualification hopes on Thursday when they host relegation contenders Villarreal at Anoeta Stadium in San Sebastian. The Basque side won the reverse fixture 2-1 in August, Willian Jose and Juanmi scored after Gerard Moreno had put Villareal ahead. Last season Real Sociedad won 3-0 at home against Villarreal but then lost the reverse fixture 4-2. Overall, Real Sociedad have won three of the last six direct matches in all competitions, while Villarreal have grabbed just two wins. Four of those last six matches had at least three goals scored in them. Real Sociedad can make a late push for seventh place, the last spot that brings qualification for next season's UEFA Europa League. They are currently down in 11th place, but seventh-placed Athletic Bilbao are just five points ahead with five matches left in the season. In theory, Real Sociedad could pull it off, but their recent form might suggest otherwise. They have not won any of their last three matches and lost two of them, including a 2-1 defeat at Barcelona last weekend. Midfielders Asier Illarramendi and Igor Zubeldia are out injured, along with Adnan Januzaj and David Zurutuza. Villarreal have been struggling throughout the season to move away from the bottom places of the league table and now it finally seems that they are capable of doing it. They have won their last two league matches, 1-0 at Girona and 2-1 at home against Leganes, and now they are two points clear of the relegation zone. However, a defeat could move them right back towards the danger area, so they can't really afford to relax yet. Bruno Soriano, Miguelon and Daniele Bonera are out injured, and first-choice goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo has also picked up a knock and might miss out. Probable line-ups: Real Sociedad: Rulli - Zaldua, Navas, Elustondo, Munoz - Sangalli, Merino, Pardo - Juanmi, Jose, Oyarzabal Villarreal: Fernandez - Gaspar, Gonzalez, Mori, Quintilla - Fornals, Iborra - Chukwueze, Cazorla, Ekambi - Bacca My prediction: 1-1 draw, Villarreal have their backs against the wall and should be able to fight hard enough to get a point here. Here are the odds for the match at Bet365: Real Sociedad win - 2.40 Draw - 3.30 Villarreal win - 3.00