That is particularly true given how strong Villarreal are at the back. They have the best defensive record in La Liga with only 0.71 goals per game conceded this term and they kept a star-studded Barcelona side pretty quiet for 89 minutes on Saturday before a Leo Messi free-kick broke their resistance and denied them maximum points.
They can take great heart from the performance though and have a few important players available here that couldn’t feature in last week’s 1st Leg, including the very influential Bruno who is a veteran of nights like this at El Madrigal. Certainly we should see a much-improved Villarreal performance on home soil, where they’ve won 6 of their last 8 home league games, which includes a 2-1 win over Real Sociedad.
The Basque side are a bit of an enigma in truth. At times they’ve been brilliant, particularly going forward, but there have also been some abject defensive displays that ought to give Villarreal real hope here. They followed that impressive 1st Leg win up with an embarrassing 4-0 home defeat against Sevilla at the weekend. Given 10 players started both games, it’s hard to find an explanation for the contrast but if they play the same way again here, they are certain to get turned over.
Villarreal may rotate their side slightly but it seems highly unlikely that they will be as poor as they were in the 1st Leg when a lot of sloppiness crept into their play. Real Sociedad have only kept 1 clean sheet in their last 9 games, despite strong overall form, so there will be chances for the hosts here and backing Villarreal to Win at Evens looks to offer pretty good value and there is still a path through to the last eight available to them.
Villarreal vs Real Sociedad Head To Head
Real Sociedad had gone 8 matches without a win against Villarreal prior to their 3-1 win in last week’s 1st Leg. This is the 3rd time in 4 years the sides have met at this stage in the Copa del Rey. Real Sociedad won 1-0 on aggregate in 2014 but lost 3-2 the following year.
Villarreal vs Real Sociedad Stats
Villarreal have won 8 of their last 12 home games in all competitions. Real Sociedad are yet to draw away from home this season with 5 wins and 5 defeats on their travels.
Villarreal Team News
Cedric Bakambu is away at the AFCON while fellow striker Roberto Soldado is still not fit so Villarreal should continue with the Sansone-Pato strike partnership again. Key midfielder Bruno, who missed the 1st Leg defeat, is fit again and should start.
Real Sociedad Team News
Eusebio Sacristán may consider changes after an abject 4-0 defeat at home to Sevilla at the weekend. Canales may get a chance in midfield while forgotten man Juanmi could break into the side up front. Watch Live stream free Click Here | Link 2#
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