Real Sociedad vs Salzburg prediction: EUROPE: Champions League – Group Stage betting tips on match 2023-11-28 20:00.
Not many would have backed Real Sociedad to qualify from a competitive-looking UEFA Champions League (UCL) Group D this season, but they’ve managed to do just that with two games to spare. After going unbeaten in their outings to date (W3, D1), including an impressive 3-1 victory over Benfica on matchday four, the Spanish outfit are now locked in a battle with Inter Milan for top spot in the group as they prepare to welcome FC Salzburg to San Sebastián.
A 2-1 win over Sevilla at the weekend saw Sociedad extend their superb run of form at home, having lost just once across their ten competitive games at the Reale Arena this campaign (W6, D3), which should further increase confidence ahead of this latest European showdown. Another boost will likely come from the fact that in UCL action this term, the hosts have conceded just twice to date – the joint-fewest of any side – and are heavy favourites for this clash.
It’s proved to be a poor UCL campaign so far for visiting Salzburg, who currently sit third in Group D (W1, L3) and can only subsequently qualify for the Europa League as a best-case scenario. To stay above Benfica, the Austrian champions may need to gain at least a point here, as another loss would make it four defeats in succession in the UCL, which would be their longest losing streak in competition history.
One of those defeats came in the reverse H2H at Red Bull Arena, as they were outclassed in a 2-0 loss. Since then, Gerhard Struber’s men have mostly looked more assured defensively, keeping three clean sheets in nine competitive encounters, perhaps suggesting that being resolute at the back rather than expressive in attack is the way to go in the Basque Country. That said, those shutouts were all achieved domestically.
Players to watch: Mikel Oyarzabal has been in stunning form for Sociedad this season, netting nine goals in 18 matches, including one in the last H2H. As for Salzburg, their new wonderkid Karim Konaté could inspire them again here, as he has ten competitive club goals this term, with all seven of those scoring appearances ending in victory.
Hot stat: Six of Sociedad’s seven UCL goals in 2023/24 have come inside the opening half-hour – the most of any team in the competition proper.