Prediction, Odds & Betting tips for Manchester United vs. Real Sociedad at UEFA Europa League
Prediction, Odds & Betting tips for Manchester United vs. Real Sociedad at UEFA Europa League
Manchester United and Real Sociedad open the UEFA Europa League adventure at Old Trafford on Thursday night. The Red Devils are one of the top contenders for winning the trophy in this competition, and with the way they have played over the past four games, that could easily happen. Sociedad, on the other hand, will try to go as far as possible and maybe create a surprise, because all the Spanish teams love to play in this competition.
Manchester United
Four wins in a row prove that the situation is slowly calming down at Old Trafford. Erik Ten Hag had to take radical measures and, for instance, leave Maguire and Ronaldo on the bench, but it started paying off right away.
What is especially important here is that Manchester United defeated two big rivals, Liverpool and Arsenal. Yes, both games were at home, but still, scoring five goals combined in these two events is superb. In the meantime, the Red Devils were better than Southampton and Leicester on the road, 0-1.
Ten Hag now has Anthony, who scored on his debut against Arsenal, showing why he is one of the most expensive signings in the club’s history. With him involved, all the forwards have more freedom and space, and his impact is yet to be felt.
Real Sociedad
The team from San Sebastian also had two derbies at home. The first against Barcelona ended 1-4 for the guests, while the other against Atletico Madrid saw a draw 1-1. Yet on the road, they have the same results as United, two minimal wins, in Elche and Cadiz.
Sociedad has a very good team, and they’ve kept most of their players from the previous year. The only notable departure is Alexander Isak, who signed for Newcastle for the biggest fee in Sociedad’s history, and as his replacement, Umar Sadiq landed, an outstanding Nigerian striker who immediately scored on his debut.
The most notable player is David Silva, the veteran, and legend of Spanish football. Apart from him, this unit also has Mikel Oyrazabal, who will be out for this one probably, captain Mikel Merino and several other notable names like Alexander Sorloth.
Manchester United: De Gea; Dalot, Varane, Martinez, Malacia; Casemiro, Eriksen; Sancho, Fernandes, Anthony; Ronaldo
Real Sociedad: Remiro; Gorosabel, Zubeldia, Le Normand, Munoz; Mendez, Zubimendi, Merino, D Silva; Sorloth, Sadiq
In the previous season, United and Sociedad also met in the group stage of the UEFA Europa League. Manchester blasted Real in San Sebastian, 0-4, while the second game at Old Trafford saw no goals.
The hosts are on the rise, and anything else but their victory here would be surprising. Manchester established balance on the field, especially in the midfield, and it appears they will be better as time goes by.
Our verdict: Manchester United wins