Real Sociedad vs Manchester Utd prediction: EUROPE: Europa League – Play Offs betting tips on match 2025-03-05 17:45.
[p]After back-to-back defeats without scoring against Real Madrid and Barcelona, Real Sociedad face another of world football’s biggest clubs as Manchester United visit for the first leg of their UEFA Europa League (UEL) last 16 tie. It’s the third time in five seasons that these sides meet in the UEL, and it’s a contest La Real ought to relish given the visitors’ struggles.[/p]
[p]History is against them here though, as Sociedad have failed to score across three prior H2Hs as the designated home side (D1, L2). Boss Imanol Alguacil should be confident of putting that right as his side have netted in all ten of their UEL matches this term, while they also tend to save their best form for the Reale Arena, where the Spaniards have been beaten just twice in 14 matches across all competitions (W11, D1), with four of those wins coming in succession in this competition.[/p]
[p]An injury-ravaged Manchester United squad travel to Spain with fatigue an added concern, after their FA Cup defence came to an end on Sunday with a fifth round penalties defeat against Fulham. A third loss from their last six matches across all competitions piled the pressure on head coach Ruben Amorim, who faces growing frustration from fans not just because of results, but also his side’s style of play.[/p]
[p]The Red Devils have certainly been a greater attacking threat in the UEL, averaging 18.8 shots per game in the competition – the highest number of any side still remaining. United have also lost just one of their last eight European away matches against Spanish opposition (W5, D2), but that was in their most recent such match against Sevilla (3-0), and six of their previous seven European campaigns actually ended in elimination at the hands of a La Liga side![/p]
[p]Players to watch: Brais MĂ©ndez scored home and away against Midtjylland in the knockout play-off round and he remains the only Sociedad player to ever score against Manchester United. Visiting captain Bruno Fernandes is single-handedly driving his side forward at present, with his 24 direct goal contributions (G11, A13) this season at least ten more than any other fit United player.[/p]
[p]Hot stat: Manchester United have scored before half-time in just one of their last five UEL matches.[/p]
[p][i]Written by Ryan Fisher[/i][/p]