Omonia vs Real Sociedad prediction: EUROPE: Europa League – Group Stage betting tips on match 2022-10-26 19:00.
After four consecutive UEFA Europa League (UEL) losses and poor domestic performances, Omonia’s board finally ran out of patience with Neil Lennon and brought his brief 29-game tenure to an end. They now begin the fifth matchday amongst a handful of clubs already ruled out of progressing from this group stage, and have also plummeted into the depths of Cyprus’ top flight courtesy of three straight league defeats.
The Cypriot Cup winners of 2021/22, who ironically qualified for the playoffs round of this competition with a penalty shootout win after a goalless draw in that domestic cup final, have seemingly forgotten how to find the back of the net again, completing four straight competitive fixtures without scoring. Despite that, the rank outsiders have hardly disgraced themselves in their second UEL group stage, holding both Manchester United and upcoming opponents Real Sociedad to one-goal margin defeats in each of their last three UEL losses.
After winning all four of their outings in this competition this season, Sociedad have a valuable opportunity to win a group stage for the first time at any level of UEFA football, in what is their third consecutive UEL sojourn under current manager Imanol Alguacil. It’s a remarkable improvement upon the four wins they managed across their two prior UEFA campaigns from group stage to knockouts (D8, L4).
Whilst it could be the last thing on his mind, Alguacil will also be making history in Nicosia, with this his 100th away game in charge of Sociedad across all competitions. Boasting a 42% win rate from those 99 trips, and with just one defeat from their last ten UEFA away fixtures (W4, D5), his side should have every reason to believe the Round of 16 will be theirs to secure one round early despite tripping up at Valladolid (L 0-1) at the weekend.
Players to watch: Both goals scored by Iranian striker Karim Ansarifard for Omonia this season have been recorded at home, whilst four of the six goalscoring appearances for Sociedad’s Brais Méndez in all competitions were at an opposition’s venue.
Hot stat: Sociedad have been outscored after half-time just once in any tournament this season – when losing 1-4 to Barcelona (2H: W6, D8, L1).