Real Sociedad vs Real Betis preview - Prieto expects attacking game

Real Sociedad captain Xabi Prieto expects an open game when Real Betis visit the Anoeta in an important battle for the European places.

Sociedad have displaced Betis in the top six following a seven-game unbeaten run that was highlighted by a comeback 3-1 win at Athletic Bilbao last weekend.

While Betis' form has dipped of late, they ended a seven-game winless run by thumping lowly Malaga 3-0 last time out, they can move back ahead of Sociedad with a win.

Any thoughts that could make for a cagey affair, however, has been rubbished by both sides.

"Both teams are going to want the ball at their feet," Prieto said at a press conference.

"There will be a lot of one-on-one situations.

"We will have to treat Betis with the utmost respect but our goal remains the same. We want to keep improving on the pitch, and keep our run going."

Betis boss Pepe Mel this week described both teams as a "breath of fresh air" and echoed Prieto's suggestion an all-action contest was on the cards.

"I think this will be an attractive game because we are two teams that play in a similar way," he said.

"We will not play defensively. If we tried to do that, we'd probably cause ourselves a lot of problems.

"I think we are two evenly-matched teams in a similar situation. We play with a lot of people in front of the ball, with individuals in one-on-one situations and speed, and I think who will most benefit will be the viewer."

Betis will be without Polish defender Damien Perquis after he suffered a freak accident in training on Friday morning.

Perquis suffered a bad cut his right hand in the club's gym and faces at least two weeks on the sidelines.

"It has been cut with something in the gym and he has a wound on the back of his right hand," club doctor Francisco Najarro said in a statement.

"It affected the tendons of the fifth finger and a small lesion in the tendon of the fourth finger.

"It will be at least two weeks until he can start training. For the next 10 or 11 days the hand will be immobilised."