Real Sociedad vs RB Leipzig Predictions & Match Preview

Real Sociedad vs RB Leipzig predictions and match preview for Thursday’s UEFA Europa League fixture. Read on for the head-to-head, team news and predicted lineups as La Real target a place in the last 16.

Real Sociedad vs RB Leipzig Preview

Real Sociedad and RB Leipzig face off with everything to play for in the 2nd Leg of their Europa League tie. The sides drew 2-2 in Germany last week, a good result for La Real but it’s fair to say Leipzig had the better of that game with 20 attempts on goal to the Basque side’s 3.

Imanol’s side were clearly jaded, certainly in the Second Half of their derby clash at San Mames at the weekend, conceding four goals in the final quarter of the game to lose 4-0. Hardly the ideal preparation for this game which feels like it will be very important in determining whether or not this ends up being a successful season for Real Sociedad.

The prospect of European progress has been something to cling onto during a difficult winter which has seen them fall away from the top four race in LaLiga and exit the Copa del Rey with another heavy 4-0 defeat at home to Betis. They really need to bring their A game to this one against a really strong Leipzig side that will feel they showed their superiority in the first match without getting the rewards they perhaps deserved.

That was in part conditioned by Real Sociedad twice taking the lead and adopting a more cautious approach than we usually see from them in LaLiga. This game could take a different course but RB Leipzig are certainly one of the stronger teams in this competition and unlike La Real, they had a much better time of it at the weekend, thumping Hertha Berlin 6-1 away from home.

They’ve won 5 of their 6 Bundesliga games this calendar year with the only defeat coming in the shape of a 3-2 loss against Bayern Munich. Amongst Leizpig’s many attacking talents is Dani Olmo with the Spanish international likely to be eager to make a big impression on home soil with interest in him likely to heat up from LaLiga clubs this summer.

Head to Head

• RB Leipzig and Real Sociedad drew 2-2 in the 1st Leg in Germany last week.
• The clubs hadn’t previously met.

Team News

Adnan Januzaj and Nacho Monreal are out for the hosts while Alexander Isak is a doubt.

Marcel Halstenberg is missing through injury for the visitors.

Possible Lineups

Real Sociedad vs RB Leipzig Predictions

Score Prediction: Real Sociedad 2-3 RB Leipzig (Aggregate: 4-5)

In truth, Real Sociedad haven’t really been that convincing for a number of months now and you fear for them a bit here. RB Leipzig are a free-scoring side who take real confidence into this game. It should be open but the Germans may just have the edge over 90 minutes unless Imanol’s side can rediscover their best football from earlier in the campaign.

UEFA Europa League Match Previews

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