Are the Red Devils also in the flow internationally?
Manchester United have actually missed out on Champions League participation or been relegated from the top flight to the Europa League more often in recent years. After all, the Red Devils have often played a very good role there. If the English approach the competition with the necessary seriousness this year, then they are certainly one of the favourites to win the title.
Erik ten Hag’s team will face Omonia Nicosia, Sheriff Tiraspol and Real Sociedad San Sebastian in the preliminary round. The Spaniards will be the first opponents at the Theatre of Dreams on Thursday. They will face probably the toughest opponent in this group. Especially at home, the goal for Manchester can only be to win all three games.
United have experienced a great upswing in the last few weeks and that is why the Red Devils are again to be rated as strong as a top team from the English Premier League should be. Now it is important not to slacken and to win again. We think that betting on a home win between Manchester United and Real Sociedad should not be a bad choice, even though bets on the English team can also be varied with HT/FT or a handicap.
Manchester United – Statistics & current form
Around Old Trafford, the tree was on fire at the start of the season. Manchester United seemed to be only a shadow of days gone by. After the defeat at home to Brighton and the subsequent 4-0 loss at Brentford, everything was already being questioned again. Erik ten Hag, however, has obviously drawn the right conclusions and made the right changes.
Winning streak of the Red Devils
United have now won four in a row, including against arch-rivals Liverpool and Arsenal. With twelve points, the Red Devils have climbed up to fifth place. They are within touching distance of the top of the table. In this condition, we only look at the odds on a win for the hosts before the clash between Manchester United and Real Sociedad.
Last weekend, Manchester United hosted leaders Arsenal London at the Theatre of Dreams. New signing Antony put his colours 1-0 in front after 35 minutes. The Gunners equalised on the hour, but Marcus Rashford scored a brace shortly afterwards to put United ahead.
In terms of personnel, Manchester could hardly look better at the moment. Victor Lindelöf was injured recently, but should be able to play. Otherwise, all players are ready for action. But there is still the mystery surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo, who actually wanted to leave the club and play in the Champions League. Instead, he missed a few sessions in preparation and is currently behind in terms of fitness. For Erik ten Hag, this means that a superstar will also have to take a seat on the bench.
Predicted Manchester United line-up:
de Gea – Shaw, Lindelöf, Varane, Dalot – Casemiro, Eriksen – Sancho, Fernandes, Antony – Rashford – Coach: ten Hag
Last matches played by Manchester United:
Premier League
04/09/2022 – Manchester United 3 – 1 FC Arsenal
02/09/2022 – Leicester 0 – 1 Manchester United
27/08/2022 – Southampton 0 – 1 Manchester United
23/08/2022 – Manchester United 2 – 1 Liverpool FC
13/08/2022 – Brentford 4 – 0 Manchester United
Real Sociedad – Statistics & current form
Over more than four years now, Imanol Alguacil has shaped a very strong team in San Sebastian. However, even a top Spanish club is not immune to the lure of England. Alexander Isak, for example, was sold to Newcastle shortly before the end of the transfer period. In return, the Basques now have a completely new attack that has to find its feet first.
Hard opening programme, good yield
However, the season opener was quite acceptable. In La Liga, San Sebastian picked up seven points from their first four games. The only defeat at home was against FC Barcelona. On the other hand, they have already won two away games. Perhaps this is a hint to make a prediction on a point win for the Spaniards between Manchester United and Real Sociedad.
The Basques’ opening programme was certainly not easy. Barca have already been guests and last weekend Atletico Madrid made an appearance at the Reale Arena. The visitors from the capital took the lead after only five minutes, but Umar Sadiq managed to score ten minutes after the change to make the final score 1-1.
In terms of personnel, things are still not looking very good for Real Sociedad. Especially the absence of Mikel Oyarzabal is still noticeable. If everything goes smoothly, the Basques’ top star is expected to make his comeback in mid-October. In addition, Carlos Fernandez, Martin Merquelanz and Robin Le Normand will not be available in Manchester.
Predicted line-up of Real Sociedad:
Remiro – Munoz, Elustondo, Zubeldia, Gorosabel – Merino, Zubimendi, Mendez, Silva – Sörloth, Cho – Coach: Alguacil
Last matches played by Real Sociedad:
La Liga
03/09/2022 – Real Sociedad 1 – 1 Atletico Madrid
27/08/2022 – Elche 0 – 1 Real Sociedad
22/08/2022 – Real Sociedad 1 – 4 FC Barcelona
14/08/2022 – Cadiz 0 – 1 Real Sociedad
Club friendlies
06/08/2022 – Athletic Bilbao 1 – 0 Real Sociedad
Manchester United – Real Sociedad Direct comparison / H2H-balance
Manchester United and Real Sociedad San Sebastian have been drawn twice in the European Cup. This has resulted in four games in which the Spaniards are yet to win and even score against the English. In 2013/14, there were two meetings in the group stage of the Champions League. United won 1-0 at home and drew goalless in the Basque Country.
The last time they met was two years ago in the sixteen-finals of the Europa League. In the first leg in San Sebastian, the English made everything clear with a 4-0 victory (goalscorers: Fernandes 2, Rashford and James). In the second leg, England could afford a 0-0 draw at Old Trafford to move into the last 16.
Manchester United – Real Sociedad Tip
Manchester United, after a poor start to the season, have now caught a wave that is not associated with one name in particular, Cristiano Ronaldo. Since Erik ten Hag left the Portuguese on the bench, there have been four wins in a row. England will want to build on that on Thursday. The goal can only be to extend the winning streak.
Real Sociedad have picked up two away wins this season, but Cadiz and Elche are no match for a trip to Old Trafford.
The Basques have not scored against United in four games. Perhaps win bets on the English can therefore be combined with a win to nil or even HT/FT. However, the Spaniards also have great quality in their squad. Therefore, we remain modest and play the betting odds on an easy win for the Red Devils in the duel Manchester United vs Real Sociedad.
