Real Sociedad vs Midtjylland prediction: EUROPE: Europa League – Play Offs betting tips on match 2025-02-19 20:00.
[p]Just 90 minutes stand between Real Sociedad and a UEFA Europa League (UEL) last-16 spot for the second time in three seasons following their 2-1 victory over Midtjylland in the first leg. Last week’s win was Sociedad’s third in succession, but they were brought down to earth with a 3-0 defeat against Real Betis at the weekend. Confidence should still be high here as Sociedad have progressed from seven of their nine European knockout ties when winning the first game. [/p]
[p]Returning home doesn’t necessarily equate to success for Sociedad, who are looking for their first home win in a springtime European knockout tie since the turn of the century (D2, L4). Strongly favoured to reverse that form, Sociedad may be out to replicate the fast start they made in the first leg when they scored twice before half-time – only two sides have netted more than their ten first-half goals in this season’s UEL [/p]
[p]Continuing their hunt for a fifth Danish championship with a 1-0 win over Lyngby at the weekend after their domestic winter break finally ended, Midtjylland will enter only their second game against Spanish opposition in club history. This is the third season out of the last four that the Danish side have competed in the knockout round play-offs across the UEL and Conference League, and they were concerningly dumped out on the two prior occasions.[/p]
[p]History hints at more anguish for the Danes, who have won none of their last eight away games in major European knockout ties (D2, L6), although they did manage to get on the scoresheet in seven of those matches. Even that would perhaps be a bonus for Thomas Thomasberg’s side, who have disappointingly fallen to defeats without reply in four of their last six competitive trips. [/p]
[p]Players to watch: Takefusa Kubo jointly leads the way for Sociedad in terms of UEL goal contributions (G2, A2) – his goal in the first leg was the fifth of his six strikes this season to prove decisive in victory. Midtjylland’s Valdemar Byskov may have the final say as he has managed to score after the 80th minute in two of his last three European appearances.[/p]
[p]Hot streak: Each of Midtjylland’s last four UEL away games ended 2-0, with one goal either side of half-time (W2, L2). [/p]
[p][i]Written by Matthew Billon[/i][/p]