In a game that could prove crucial in the fight for European qualification, Real Sociedad plays host to Valencia on Saturday. The Basque side currently sits in eighth place, just one point behind Valencia in seventh. If other results go favorably, a win could see either team break into the top four. Valencia is only behind rival Villareal on goal difference while Atletico Madrid and Sevilla, fourth and fifth in the table, respectively, are level on 40 points, two points ahead.
Real Sociedad enters this game in great form, having won five of its last six games including a 4-3 upset over Real Madrid at the Bernabeu, which saw the league leaders crash out of the Copa del Rey. Three days later Sociedad defeated rival Athletic Bilbao in a crucial matchup when a loss could have seen Bilbao overtake Imanol Alguacil's side in the table.
The coach acknowledged his team's form ahead of Saturday's game, saying: "We want to continue our good moment, make the fans enjoy and give them a new victory. ... When a team is on a roll what they want is to play." Sociedad boasts the fourth most productive offense in LaLiga, in part thanks to the in-form Alex Isak. The 20-year old Swede, a summer arrival from Dortmund, has looked unplayable lately after a slow first half of the season in which he mainly appeared off the bench.
Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad | Isak (GOAL!!!) 54' pic.twitter.com/3Q5SI1Jej1
— D9INE (@D9INE_NEXUS_F1) February 6, 2020
Isak's form has seen him displace Willian Jose in the starting 11 in recent weeks. He scored the tying goal to clinch his side a point against Barcelona and scored a fantastic brace in the upset at the Bernabeu. Nine goals in his last 10 games have brought him up to 14 this season, seven apiece in LaLiga and the Copa del Rey. Real Madrid loanee Martin Odegaard has enjoyed a breakout season with Sociedad thus far and also comes into the game in good goal-scoring form, with three in his last four games. The Norwegian scored the first goal against his parent club in the Copa del Rey.
Valencia, on the other hand, has struggled as of late. Despite a 2-0 win over Barcelona, which knocked the Catalans out of first place, Albert Celades' side has endured five losses and a draw in its last 10 games. Los Che suffered a humbling defeat at the hands of Atalanta in the Champions League in midweek, losing 4-1. Valencia was without three crucial players at the San Siro and was overrun by the Serie A's most prolific offense.
Gian Piero Gasperini drew the ire of Valencia when he described the Champions League draw as "a Christmas present" in December. On this week's evidence he was proven correct, and Celades' men will have a tough task in taking anything from their visit to the Anoeta. In addition to missing Gabriel Paulista and Ezequiel Garay in the heart of defense, Valencia will be without suspended top scorer Maxi Gomez.
Real Sociedad's free-firing offense could prove troublesome for a Valencia backline which has shipped 11 goals in four matches. Having all but lost any chance of progressing to the Champions League quarterfinals in midweek, Celades and his side are in danger of suffering a blow in their pursuit to qualify for the competition next season.
