Espanyol vs Real Sociedad preview - Montanier sets 12-point target

Real Sociedad boss Philippe Montanier believes his side may only need six more points to stay in the Primera Division but wants them to double that tally as they prepare for the trip to Espanyol.

Sunday's 4-0 thrashing of Rayo Vallecano stopped the rot for Montanier's men after four league defeats in five games raised fears they could be sucked into a relegation dogfight.

Sociedad have 36 points, eight clear of the drop zone with eight matches remaining.

Montanier said: "If we stay up with 42 points, I would be satisfied with staying up, but not with the number of points.

"First we will ensure the essentials and then we will be ambitious to achieve the best possible finish. If we reach 48, all the better."

He added: "I think 45 points is a number that is also a good target.

"On the one hand, it guarantees we stay up and, on the other, it would provide certainty for the template that we are on track and maintaining our progression."

A rare away win would go some way to achieving Montanier's aims.

He said: "We need to get into a good dynamic of two or three games. It's what we're after.

"We need determination to bring success. We must persevere on this path, but you have to go a step further to get good results."

Espanyol need a victory to revive their fading hopes of qualifying for the Champions League.

Two points from their last three games have seen them slip six points behind fourth-placed Malaga.

They are boosted by the return from illness of on-loan Inter Milan youngster Philippe Coutinho, who missed Sunday's goalless draw at Villarreal.

Both sides may look to rest players with games in midweek to come.