Villarreal will be looking to get themselves back on track when they travel to face Real Sociedad on Saturday night.
Villarreal had an excellent start to the La Liga season which has seen them climb up into sixth into the league. However their form has drastically dipped recently with their last victory coming back at the beginning of March.
Since their victory over Celta Vigo they have lost four and drawn four of their last eight games, with their latest result being a 0-0 draw with Cordoba at the weekend. It does seem that their closest rivals Sevilla are out of reach with 11 points separating, however Malaga only six points behind them with three points in this game going well towards widening that gap.
The David Moyes at Real Sociedad is still going strong despite a lacklustre run of recent form. Sociedad currently sit 12th in the league but have failed to register a win in their last four games with the latest result being a 2-2 draw with Deportivo La Coruna last weekend.
However they will have boost of confidence knowing that they are undefeated in their last six matches on home turf with wins against; Eibar, Sevilla and Corboda since their last defeat in late January. However Villarreal are undefeated in nine of the last 10 away games to Sociedad
Villarreal manager Marcelino Garcia Toral faces a significant number of absentees ahead of this game with; Bruno, Adrian Marin, Mateo Musacchio, Chechu Dorado, Giovani dos Santos, Denis Cheryshev all missing. Eric Bailly will miss out through suspension while striker Ikechukwu Uche is a doubt.
Due to the sheer amount absentees Mario could make his debut in the heart of the defence, Gerard Moreno is expected to start upfront with Luciano Veto and Arsenal loanee Joel Campbell on the left.
Real Sociedad have less problems selection wise with Jose Zaluda the only guaranteed absentee through suspension with Carlos Martinez expected to replace him. However; Ingio Martinez, Ion Ansotegi and Gonzalo Castro are all injury doubts. Top scorer Carlos Vela is in contention for a start but Imanol Agirretxe and Xabi Prieto could keep their places in the starting XI.