Real Sociedad-Villarreal PREVIEW

Hard on the heels of a disastrously poor showing against Levante, Villarreal now play their second match of the season, also on the road--and against what figures to be tougher opposition.

Real Sociedad won their first match of the season courtesy of a questionable penalty; Villarreal lost its first match courtesy of a questionable penalty. However, La Real did enough to win before that (including scoring twice), while Villarreal was frankly lucky to get to the last couple of minutes still on level terms. So there’s that.

We have a squad call on the official website! It is:

Keepers: Andrés and Barbosa.

Defenders: Rukavina, Jaume Costa, Álvaro, Semedo, Víctor Ruiz and Pau.

Midfielders: Rodrigo, Trigueros, N’Diaye, Fornals, Samu Castillejo and Chuca.

Strikers: Sansone, Enes Ünal, Bacca y Bakambu.

Same injury list as before; Bruno and Cheryshev are both listed as in the ‘recuperation phase’ but Mario, Bonera and Roberto Soriano not.

All-time record: In the league, 13-10-5, including 7-5-2 away. Quite good, actually. Our last loss in the league was way back in August 2010.

Prediction: 1-1. Which seems optimistic.