Real Sociedad vs Inter prediction: EUROPE: Champions League – Group Stage betting tips on match 2023-09-19 19:00.
An almost decade-long absence from Europe’s premier club competition finally comes to an end for Spain’s Real Sociedad, who will feature in their third UEFA Champions League (UCL) campaign and first since the 2013/14 season. They’ve been welcomed back by being drawn in Group D alongside Benfica, RB Salzburg, and their matchday-one opponents Inter Milan.
Qualifying as a result of finishing fourth in La Liga last season, La Real will be hoping the continental stage brings more prosperity than their domestic start to this season, where they’ve won only one of five games (D3, L1). Unfortunately their previous UCL ventures don’t offer much inspiration either, having gone without victory in their last 12 games in the competition proper (D4, L8).
That’s in stark contrast to their visitors on both fronts, since Inter’s perfect start to their domestic campaign sees them sit top of Serie A, while they’ve only lost two of their last 12 UCL matches (W7, D3). The last of those encounters will still be fresh in their memory, after an odds-defying run to the final last season ended in heartbreak when Manchester City pipped them to the crown.
That’s the only blemish in the Nerazzurri’s last eight games (W7), having been rampant in outscoring their opponents 19-5 on aggregate, including a thumping 5-1 win against bitter rivals AC Milan at the weekend. Head coach Simone Inzaghi will be looking to continue that form in order to turn his side’s fortunes against Spanish opposition around, as Inter have won only one of their last 13 UCL away matches in Spain (D2, L10).
Players to watch: Ander Barrenetxea has come up through the Real Sociedad youth ranks, and enjoys home comforts, with ten of his 14 goals for the first team coming at the Reale Arena. Inter’s captain Lautaro MartĂnez will attempt to spoil the party and he tends to grow in danger as the game wears on, considering five of his last six UCL goals have come after half-time.
Hot stat: Real Sociedad have only won one of their eight games against Italian opposition (D3, L4), that victory being against Inter themselves in the 1979/80 UEFA Cup.