Prediction: Manchester United win
Best Odds: 5/4
Bookmaker: 888sport
Between COVID-19 and the general unpredictability that tends to stem from the UEFA Europa League, you could argue this is shaping up to be the competition’s most intriguing year yet. The campaign has been on pause for a few months ever since the group stage came to an end, but now that eight teams have made their way down from the Champions League, the fun can really begin. Today, we’re going to be previewing the first leg of what should be an intriguing contest between Real Sociedad and Manchester United.
Real Sociedad
After getting back on the winning trail in La Liga, Real Sociedad are well-positioned to make a run at a top four spot in what has been a really impressive league campaign for them thus far. They’ve been able to strike a nice balance within their squad that has not only left them with a strong defensive record, but has also given them plenty of viable attacking options. Now, their task is to inject that kind of life into their Europa League run after only winning two of their group stage games.
Team News
Oyarzabal’s return is huge for the ‘home’ side in this one with David Silva being tipped to feature as the familiar foe against United. Elsewhere, Sangalli and Miguel Angel Moya have both been ruled out.
Manchester United
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer knows the value of a run deep into the Europa League, but he’s also well aware of just how competitive it can be in the latter stages of the competition. Some have suggested it’ll be their best chance of winning silverware this season with others wanting the Red Devils to really go for it in the Premier League title race, even with rivals Manchester City seemingly pulling away. Whatever the case may be, there’s a whole lot of potential left in this season for Ole’s men.
Team News
Martial and McTominay are both fitness doubts for the trip to Turin with the following players officially ruled out through injury – Jones, Pogba, Cavani and van de Beek.
Factors to Consider
- Sociedad finished 2nd in Group F with nine points, whereas Man United finished 3rd in Group H of the UCL with nine points.
- Sociedad have won three, drawn two and lost one of their last six games.
- Man United have won two, drawn three and lost one of their last six games.
- Sociedad have scored 11 goals and conceded seven in their last six games.
- Man United have scored 15 goals and conceded six in their last six games.
Conclusion
This has the potential to be a really entertaining tie, but we think a lot of the fun is going to come in the second leg when these two teams have had a chance to feel each other out. Plus, with the fixture pretty much being played on neutral territory, it makes the stakes of this first leg all the more intriguing. We think United are going to edge out a narrow 1-0 win, setting things up nicely for an intense reverse fixture – wherever it may be.
Prediction: Manchester United win
Best Odds: 5/4
Bookmaker: 888sport
- Soccer News Like
- Be the first of your friends!
