Valencia Faces Relegation: Anoeta Match Will Decide Club's Fate. In the penultimate round of LaLiga, Valencia is fighting for survival. The clash with Real Sociedad is complicated by the return of Soler and Guedes, who could influence the outcome of the season.
In San Sebastián at the Anoeta stadium, Valencia found themselves at the heart of the battle to remain in LaLiga. The team faces the challenge of not losing in the penultimate round of LaLiga, otherwise the club risks dropping into the relegation zone with just one round left. Special focus is on former Valencia leaders — Carlos Soler and Gonçalo Guedes, who now play for Real Sociedad and could play a key role against their former club.
Gonçalo Guedes, who has recovered from injury, and Carlos Soler, a regular starter, have reunited at Real Sociedad. Both players were once important figures for Valencia and are now well positioned to complicate matters for their former team. If Real Sociedad wins, Valencia could face a critical situation, given there will be only one match left until the end of the season.
Real Sociedad also expects the return of striker Sadiq Umar, who left the club in winter after a disappointing spell in San Sebastián. For defender Aritz Elustondo, this match will be his last at his home stadium: the club will present him with an honorary award for 11 years with the team, and coach Pellegrino Matarazzo has confirmed that the veteran has a chance to be in the starting lineup.
Valencia approaches the match with severe tournament pressure: the team is only four points from the relegation zone, with just six points left to play for. Any loss of points could cost the club their top-flight status. Real Sociedad, in contrast, has already secured their LaLiga safety after last week's draw with Girona.
Real Sociedad's squad is missing the injured Álvaro Odriozola and Ander Barrenetxea, as well as the suspended Caleta-Car. At the same time, Orri Óskarsson and Gonçalo Guedes return to action. For the first time this season, academy product Iñaki Rupérez, who missed most of the year due to injury, is included in the squad, along with several players from the B team — Aitor Fraga, Luken Beitia, Ibai Aguirre, and Gorka Carrera.
For Real Sociedad, this match is an opportunity to end the home season on a positive note in front of their fans. After winning the Copa del Rey, the club is already looking ahead to next year, when they will compete in four tournaments: LaLiga, the Copa del Rey, the Europa League, and the Spanish Super Cup.
The situation at the bottom of the LaLiga table remains tense: the battle for survival has intensified following a series of unexpected results, as noted in the material about Racing's chances to reach the Primera — details on the decisive match in Santander.
For reference: Real Sociedad is one of the oldest clubs in Spain, based in San Sebastián, and regularly competes in European competitions. Valencia are six-time national champions, but in recent years have faced financial and personnel difficulties. In the 2025/26 season, LaLiga once again showcases intense competition for survival, with club destinies decided literally in every round.
