Real Sociedad travel to Malaga this Sunday buoyed by their recent result against the same opponent. Imanol Alguacil's side arrives fresh from a commanding 2-5 victory at La Rosaleda last weekend, a win that places them fifth in the table with 16 points from nine games, having recorded five wins, one draw and three losses.
The Basque club is in a positive run of form with three wins and a draw in their last five league matches, including a 3-2 triumph over Deportivo La Coruña earlier this month. This contrasts with Malaga's situation, having recorded one draw and two defeats in their last three outings, following a 1-1 draw with Espanyol.
League context
The victory on October 18th at La Rosaleda was an offensive show. Goals from Takefusa Kubo, Orri Steinn Óskarsson, a brace from Mikel Oyarzabal, and one from Gonçalo Guedes sealed the scoreline. This result reinforces the team's good momentum, having scored 17 goals in the domestic competition this season, though they have also conceded 17, leaving them with a goal difference of zero.
With this form, the visit to a struggling Malaga presents an opportunity to consolidate their place in the upper reaches of the table. Real Sociedad sits 11 points behind leaders Barcelona, but their immediate aim is to keep adding points ahead of their next home fixture.
The team will return to action at the Reale Arena on Saturday 25 October, hosting Levante, a side currently battling to escape the relegation places in 17th position.
The squad approaches this phase of the campaign with Croatian Luka Sučić as the season's top scorer with three goals in eight appearances. Sunday's match is another test for a team looking to prove their last exhibition in Malaga was not a one-off. Manager Imanol Alguacil has selection doubts for the starting eleven, with the confirmed absence of central defender Jon Pacheco due to an accumulation of yellow cards. His likely replacement is Aritz Elustondo, who has recovered his fitness after a muscle injury. In attack, the question is whether Umar Sadiq, who scored in the last match, will start or come off the bench.
The team arrives with a recent run of three wins, one draw and one loss in their last five outings, having also beaten Valencia 2-3 and lost to Athletic Club 0-1. Gilloise, with a goal from Benat Turrientes.
The report in full is at sports.yahoo.com
