Can Sturm upset the Spanish league leaders?
Only five of the 32 teams in the UEFA Europa League have yet to pick up a point after two group matches. Among this quintet are the two Austrian representatives in the Europa League. On matchday three, both red-white-red representatives have home advantage. While the ball is already rolling in the capital at 6:45 p.m., the match between Sturm Graz and Real Sociedad will kick off in Styria at 9 p.m.
The current table situation for the team of head coach Christian Ilzer is not necessarily surprising. The team from Graz got into an extremely difficult group and was considered a severe underdog right from the start. Sturm have done well so far, but the competition is simply too strong. Despite the home advantage, odds of up to 6.00 are being offered on Sturm Graz to win at home against Real Sociedad.
The clear favourite role for the Basque guests is justified especially because of the strong constitution. In fact, Real Sociedad de San Sebastian are the current leaders in the Spanish LaLiga and accordingly travel to Styria with a large portion of self-confidence.
Sturm Graz – Statistics & current form
In the recent past, Sturm Graz disgraced themselves on the international stage with regularity. After a ten-year break, the Blackies finally managed to qualify for a group stage again under Christian Ilzer. In the two previous appearances in the EL group stage (2009/10 and 2011/12), however, Sturm Graz had to pull out of the tournament at the bottom of the table. It is very likely that this scenario will repeat itself for the third time in just a few weeks’ time.
Seven EL home games, six defeats
From a sporting point of view, Sturm could not speak of luck of the draw, because it was almost impossible to advance from the beginning. On the other hand, the group is unrivalled in terms of attractiveness. However, the disappointing international statistics will probably continue in view of the quality of the opponents.
The Graz team is anything but strong at home. Sturm Graz have lost eleven of their last 13 international home games. In the Europa League group phase, there were six defeats in seven home games, the only exception being a 1-0 win on the last matchday of the 2009/10 season.
The first home match in the current group phase ended for the Blackies with a heavy 1:4 defeat against PSV Eindhoven. In the forward play Sturm stays true to their own line and tries to score quickly with fast vertical play. However, the defence lacks a bit of quality against the high class opponents and therefore a prediction of a clear victory for the visitors in the match between Sturm Graz and Real Sociedad is quite reasonable.
Sturm games stand for a lot of goals
Generally, many goals can be expected in the games of the Graz team under Christian Ilzer. In the first half of the Austrian championship, the Sturm offence scored 27 times in eleven games. This means that the current number two in Austrian club football has the best offensive record in the league, together with sector leader Red Bull Salzburg.
A total of 40 goals were scored in eleven games, which results in an average of 3.64 goals per game. In nine of the eleven games, at least three goals were scored, even seven times there was an over 3.5. A spectacle is also to be expected on Thursday in the Europa League.
Predicted line-up of Sturm Graz:
Siebenhandl – Dante, Wüthrich, Affengruber, Gazibegovic – Prass, Gorenc-Stankovic, Hierländer – Niangbo – Yeboah, Jantscher
Last matches played by Sturm Graz:
Bundesliga
10/17 2021 – Sturm Graz 1 – 0 Ried
10/03 2021 – Hartberg 3 – 2 Sturm Graz
Europa League Grp. B
09/30 2021 – Sturm Graz 1 – 4 PSV Eindhoven
Bundesliga
09/26 2021 – Rapid Vienna 0 – 3 Sturm Graz
Cup
09/22 2021 – Hohenems 0 – 4 Sturm Graz
Real Sociedad – Statistics & current form
The dominance of Real Madrid and Barcelona in Spanish football has been a thing of the past since this season at the latest. As a result, the battle for the championship promises enormous excitement. After nine completed rounds in LaLiga, the league leaders are a team that has been in the extended top flight for several years, but whose current consistency is nevertheless surprising – Real Sociedad de San Sebastian.
Purity rule was abolished 32 years ago
Compared to their big local rivals Athletic Bilbao, the purity law no longer applies in San Sebastian. Even “non-Basque” players are allowed to put on the blue and white jersey. However, this has only been the case since the summer of 1989, when Irishman John Aldridge was signed. Until 2002, only Spanish players from the Basque Country were signed up, but RSSS has since relaxed the rules a little here too. The core of the team is still made up almost exclusively of players from the region, but the odd legionnaire can also be found.
The team’s sporting success is closely linked to Imanol Alguacil. The 50-year-old was trained as a youngster in the RSSS youth system and has now been with his heart’s club since Christmas 2018. An average of 1.63 points after 129 competitive games is a very strong figure. A look at the final LaLiga standings shows the strong development of the Basques.
Two draws at the start
Like the Blackies from Graz, RSSS are in the group stage of the UEFA Europa League for the third time. In comparison to the Austrians, however, the team from the Basque country was able to advance both times as group runners-up. Last year, they were eliminated by SSC Napoli in the first knockout phase. The Alguacil team remained without an away defeat internationally (one win, three draws).
There were also two draws at the start of this group stage and the team is therefore feeling a certain pressure. In the “double” against Sturm Graz, two wins are needed to put the team in a good starting position. Accordingly, it is not to be expected that the guests will rotate a lot, but will play with almost their best line-up. A goal from top scorer Mikel Oyarzabal (six goals in LaLiga) is therefore quite likely, and betting odds of just over 2.00 are being offered for this.
Predicted Real Sociedad line-up:
Remiro – Munoz, Elustondo, Zubeldia, Zaldua – Guevara, Zubimendi, Merino – Oyarzabal, Isak, Januzaj
Last matches played by Real Sociedad:
LaLiga
10/16 2021 – San Sebastian 1 – 0 Mallorca
10/03 2021 – Getafe 1 – 1 San Sebastian
Europa League Grp. B
09/30 2021 – San Sebastian 1 – 1 AS Monaco
LaLiga
09/26 2021 – San Sebastian 1 – 0 Elche
09/23 2021 – Granada 2 – 3 San Sebastian
Sturm Graz – Real Sociedad Direct comparison / H2H record
These two teams will meet for the first time in a football match on Thursday. Memories of Spanish teams are by no means positive for the Grazers. Four games (two each against Real Madrid and Valencia) were played, all four games were clearly lost (goal difference 2:18).
However, the Basques from San Sebastian are also still winless against Austrian teams, as in the 201/17 season RSSS failed to beat Red Bull Salzburg in the sixteenth final of the UEFA Europa League (total score 3:4).
Sturm Graz – Real Sociedad Tip
The six group games in the Europa League are an absolute bonus for the Ilzer eleven. Enjoy and gain experience is the motto against three renowned teams, but a point win is not necessarily to be expected. The Austrian representative is certainly not underestimated and due to the two previous results of the Basques, the Alguacil eleven will also play with the necessary consistency. Therefore, the tip on Sturm Graz against Real Sociedad is recommended with a clear conscience.
For a more lucrative winning opportunity, not only the regular away win is recommended, but also the handicap offers itself. Graz’s previous experience with Spanish opponents is very negative (18 goals conceded in four games) and against a very in-form Basque side, who even scored the winning goal in the closing stages at the weekend despite being 45 minutes shorthanded, the prospects are bleak. For Sturm Graz against Real Sociedad, odds on the handicap tip (-1.5) are offered at 2.60, with a stake of five units.
