One Point, Two Wounds: Villarreal and Sociedad Meet in the Top-Five Tangle

They were level without a goal in October; on Sunday, Villarreal and Real Sociedad meet again with the top five tightened to a single point. Villarreal have 46 points from 26 games and sit fourth. Sociedad have 45 from 27 in fifth. Villarreal arrive unbeaten in three league matches, while Sociedad’s four successive defeats ended with a win last time out.

Villarreal have 46 points from 26 games against 37.3 expected, and are fourth in the table but seventh on expected points. Their finishing has been sharp, their resistance sharper: 35 goals scored from 31.3 expected and 20 conceded against 25.2 expected. That overperformance has been a story before; now it must hold up against a Sociedad side with more chances than goals, 29 from 31.6 expected.

Both teams are expected to keep faith with a 4-3-3 DM Wide. Villarreal will miss regular centre-back Íñigo Calvo, goalkeeper Iker Tapiador and midfielder Hicham Jazouli through injury. Kayle Leister is fit but is not expected to start. Sociedad’s regular striker Francisco Javier Borge is out with a groin strain, leaving Asier Arbeloa likely to lead the line. Arbeloa has scored once in his recent five appearances, but his six shots and 2.0 expected goals suggest a threat not yet fully paid.

José Luis Bueno, with two goals in his recent five, is one to watch for Villarreal; Antonio has supplied three assists in the same span. The October meeting finished 0-0, as did the previous league encounter before it. The last three meetings have produced only one goal, scored by Sociedad in February 2063.

A familiar face sharpens the contest: Cosimo Puggelli, now Sociedad’s manager, led Villarreal from 2058 to 2060. In this tight little bullring, one point separates them and neither can afford a timid step.