Real Sociedad vs Dyn. Kyiv prediction: EUROPE: Europa League – League phase betting tips on match 2024-12-11 20:00.
[p]Things couldnât be going much better for Real Sociedad of late, who enter this clash on the back of a stunning run of form which has seen them win six of their last seven games without conceding (L1). That run has seen them progress in the Copa del Rey and stay in La Ligaâs race for Europe, although there is still work to be done on the UEFA Europa League (UEL) front if theyâre to push for a top-eight finish in the final three rounds (W2, D1, L2). [/p]
[p]Sociedad enter this clash as strong favourites to take the spoils in what is their first meeting against a Ukrainian team since 2013/14. A pair of defeats âto nilâ against Shakhtar make up their entire historical record against such sides, and with just one victory across Sociedadâs last four UEL home games (D1, L2), this one may not be so straightforward despite their short price. [/p]
[p]Providing the opposition are European nomads Dynamo Kyiv, who gained a three-point lead at the top of the Ukrainian Premier League over the weekend. That sharply contrasts to their UEL fortunes as they travel here as the only side without a point, and with just one goal for their well travelled fans to celebrate, theyâre at risk of elimination with two rounds remaining should they lose yet again here. [/p]
[p]It has been an uphill battle for Dynamo, who have had to play their âhomeâ games on German soil due to the geopolitical climate. As far as their away games are concerned, Dynamo have conceded before half-time and lost without scoring on both trips this campaign, bringing their winless away run in the competition up to six (D1, L5), and improving on that given their miserable record against Spanish opposition looks difficult (W5, D10, L18). [/p]
[p]Players to watch: Sociedadâs Ander Barrenetxea may have earned himself a start after scoring and assisting in a 14-minute cameo at the weekend, taking his direct goal contribution tally to seven in his last six appearances (G4, A3). For Dynamo, Vladyslav Vanat scored twice at the weekend, with his second strike in that game ending a run of five straight club goals arriving before half-time. [/p]
[p]Hot stat: Dynamo Kyiv have conceded before half-time in seven of their last eight UEL away games. [/p]
[p][i]Written by Matthew Billon [/i][/p]