MX23RW : Tuesday, November 5 16:31:07| >> :120:9995:9995:
[monks data]
Real Sociedad logo
Europa League | Group Stage
Sep 30, 2021 at 5.45pm UK
Reale Arena (Donostia-San Sebastián)
Monaco

Real Sociedad
1 - 1
Monaco

Merino (53')
Elustondo (90+2')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Disasi (16')
Maripan (87'), Volland (90+2'), Disasi (90+2'), Kovac (90+3')

Preview: Real Sociedad vs. Monaco - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Thursday's Europa League clash between Real Sociedad and Monaco, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Monaco head into their Europa League fixture with Real Sociedad looking to build on starting their Group B campaign with maximum points.

While the Ligue 1 outfit got the better of Sturm Graz on matchday one, Sociedad were involved in an entertaining 2-2 draw with PSV Eindhoven.


Match preview

Real Sociedad's Adnan Januzaj celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates on September 16, 2021© Reuters

At a time when the likes of Atletico Madrid and Barcelona are performing well below what is expected of them, it is Real Sociedad who have taken full advantage in La Liga.

Imanol Alguacil's side have collected 16 points from a possible 18, their latest victory coming against Elche by a 1-0 scoreline at the weekend.

Sociedad are still waiting for Alexander Isak to find his feet in front of goal this term, but the fact that they still sit in second spot in Spain's top flight only bodes well for the future.

As far as this competition is concerned, Sociedad would have been satisfied with their share of the spoils against PSV, especially after trailing in the first half.

Nevertheless, that result only heaps pressure on the White and Blue ahead of this encounter, one which they can ill-afford to suffer defeat if they are to retain ambitions of topping the group.

Monaco head coach Niko Kovac pictured on September 11, 2021© Reuters

Nico Kovac was battling to save his job as Monaco boss ahead of their group opener with Sturm Graz after a run of one victory in six outings.

However, their scrappy 1-0 victory over the Austrian side acted as the catalyst for seven points being accumulated from their next three Ligue 1 fixtures.

Now sitting just three points below third position in France's top flight, Kovac will be optimistic about his team's targets on the domestic and continental scene.

Wissam Ben Yedder has emerged as Monaco's key man over the past two weeks with four goals coming against Nice, Saint-Etienne and Clermont.

Real Sociedad Europa League form:
  • D

Real Sociedad form (all competitions):
  • W
  • W
  • D
  • D
  • W
  • W

Monaco Europa League form:
  • W

Monaco form (all competitions):
  • W
  • L
  • W
  • D
  • W
  • W



Team News

Real Sociedad striker Alexander Isak pictured in June 2020© Reuters

With Sociedad almost having a full team of players on the sidelines, Alguacil could opt to keep alterations down to a minimum.

Julen Lobete appears likely to keep his place in attack, deputising for Isak, but second-choice goalkeeper Mat Ryan will expect to be handed a second outing between the sticks.

Youssouf Fofana and Aleksandr Golovin are unlikely to start for Monaco after the pair suffered injuries at the weekend.

Eliot Matazo and Sofiane Diop are in line to be recalled to the starting lineup, while Benoit Badiashile is an alternative to Guillermo Maripan in defence.

Cesc Fabregas is again expected to miss out with a muscle injury.

Real Sociedad possible starting lineup:
Remiro; Gorosabel, Zubeldia, Le Normand, Munoz; Zubimendi, Turrientes; Januzaj, Merino, Oyarzabal; Lobete

Monaco possible starting lineup:
Nubel; Aguilar, Maripan, Pavlovic, Jakobs; Matazo, Tchouameni; Martins, Volland, Diop; Ben Yedder


SM words green background

We say: Real Sociedad 1-1 Monaco

This has all the makings of a thrilling encounter, one which Sociedad will know that they can ill-afford to lose. Monaco will also be happy enough with a draw in Spain, leading us to predict a share of the spoils at the Anoeta Stadium.



Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting a double chance bet on a home win or an away win in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Home/Away:data



ID:465745:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect8399:

Data Analysis

Our analysis of all available data, including recent performances and player stats up until an hour before kickoff, suggested the most likely outcome of this match was a Monaco win with a probability of 40.31%. A win for Real Sociedad had a probability of 34.07% and a draw had a probability of 25.6%.

The most likely scoreline for a Monaco win was 0-1 with a probability of 9.38%. The next most likely scorelines for that outcome were 1-2 (8.68%) and 0-2 (6.71%). The likeliest Real Sociedad win was 1-0 (8.49%), while for a drawn scoreline it was 1-1 (12.14%). The actual scoreline of 1-1 was predicted with a 12.1% likelihood.


Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Game History

How you voted: Real Sociedad vs Monaco

Real Sociedad
65.5%
Draw
17.2%
Monaco
17.2%
58
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Alexander Isak pictured in Sweden training in May 2021
Read Next:
Arsenal 'to target Isak as Aubameyang replacement'
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS

League Phase

TeamPWDLPTS
1Lazio33009
2Spurs33009
3Anderlecht33009
4Ajax32107
5Frankfurt32107
6Midtjylland32107
7Galatasaray32107
8Bodo/Glimt32107
9Lyon32016
10Rangers32016
11Olympiacos32016
12FCSB32016
13Fenerbahce31205
14Porto31114
15Slavia Prague31114
16Real Sociedad31114
17Roma31114
18Hoffenheim31114
19AZ31023
20Man Utd30303
21Plzen30303
22Ferencvaros31023
23Elfsborg31023
24Malmo31023
25Braga31023
26Besiktas31023
27FC Twente30212
28Union SG30121
29PAOK30121
30Ludogorets30121
31Nice30121
32RFS30121
33Athletic Club00000
34M. Tel Aviv30030
35Dynamo Kiev30030
36Qarabag30030


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!