Real Sociedad vs Valencia CF Preview: Spain Primera Division Jornada 38 2011/12

Pre Match
May 12, 2012 7:00 PM BST
Estadio Municipal de Anoeta — Donostia-San Sebastián

Team News

Real Sociedad 

Real Sociedad were beaten for the first time in eight games last weekend as they went down 1-0 to Osasuna.

That defeat means that the Basque side can no longer finish in the top-half of the table but any finish higher than 14th will still be their best for nine years.

Mikel Aranburu will play his last game for Sociedad, as after 16 years and over 500 appearances for the club, he is retiring at the end of the season.

Probable lineups : Bravo, Bella, Demidov, Ansotegi, Estrada, Aranburu, Llarramendi, Vela, Prieto, Griezmann, Agirretxe. (4-2-3-1).

Valencia

Valencia guaranteed they will finish third for the third consecutive season thanks to Jonas' last minute winner against Villarreal last weekend. Adil Rami is also suspended so Victor Ruiz should return at centre-back.

That should allow Unai Emery to give an opportunity to some of his fringe players for his last game in charge so the likes of Hedwiges Maduro and Paco Alcácer may be handed a rare start.  

Probable lineups : Guaita, Barragan, Ruiz, Costa, Alba, Topal, Maduro, Feghouli, Piatti, Hernandez, Alcacer. (4-2-3-1).

Match Facts

There have been under 2.5 goals scored in 5 of Real Sociedad's last 6 games in La Liga.

Valencia have failed to score in their last 3 away matches in La Liga.

Valencia have won their last 3 away matches against Real Sociedad in all competitions.

Head to Head

Spain - Primera Division ‎(LIGA)‎	Jan 14, 2012	Valencia CF 0 - Real Sociedad 1
Spain - Primera Division ‎(LIGA)‎	May 7, 2011	Valencia CF 3 - Real Sociedad 0
Spain - Primera Division ‎(LIGA)‎	Dec 18, 2010	Real Sociedad 1 - Valencia CF 2
Spain - Primera Division ‎(LIGA)‎	Jun 17, 2007	Valencia CF 3 - Real Sociedad 3
Spain - Primera Division ‎(LIGA)‎	Jan 21, 2007	Real Sociedad 0 - Valencia CF 1

Prediction
The atmosphere at Anoeta is likely to be more boisterous for Aranburu's farewell rather than any implications on the field, but Sociedad have been strong at home in recent months and will fancy themselves to finish the season on a high note.

Real Sociedad  2 - 1  Valencia