RSSS have a defensive bulwark at home
The field of participants in the Europa League was reduced by the introduction of the Conference League and thus the competition received another upgrade. Many top teams fight for glory in the second most important club competition. A number of clubs have also had a taste of the top flight in recent years. This is true for both teams in the top match of Group B, as real Sociedad and AS Monaco face each other
This match is of particular interest to Austrian fans, as Group B features PSV Eindhoven and SK Sturm Graz. The Blackies are certainly the big underdogs in this group, but the three remaining teams operate at a similar level and excitement is guaranteed. Thursday’s Real Sociedad vs Monaco betting odds are offered at 2.40 for the home win.
The Kovac team from the Principality, meanwhile, could take a huge step towards the knockout stage with a second win in their second group game. However, the Basques are considered to be extremely strong at home and the task is accordingly difficult for the Ligue 1 club. The match kicks off at 18:45 on Thursday evening.
Spain Real Sociedad – Statistics & current form
Fifth in the LaLiga table last season, head coach Imanol Alguacil’s side had secured direct qualification for the Europa League group stage. Last season, “La Real” mastered the group stage, only to be defeated by Manchester United in the first knockout round.
Since seven games without defeat
There is no doubt that the knockout stage is the Basques’ big goal again this season. The 2-2 draw away to PSV Eindhoven could be described as a satisfactory start. In general, RSSS is in very good shape at the moment.
The only defeat of the season was the opening match against FC Barcelona (2:4 at Camp Nou). Since then, the Alguacil team has gone unbeaten, with five wins and two draws in seven competitive matches. With 16 points from seven league games, La Real is currently the first team behind leader Real Madrid.
The Basques have also gone seven home games without defeat (6-1-0 record). Given this home strength and good form, betting on the home side between Real Sociedad and Monaco is highly recommended.
Minimalism at the Reale Arena
However, fans can by no means expect offensive fireworks at the home Reale Arena on Thursday. Captain and international Mikel Oyarzabal scored the only goal of the day in a 1-0 home win over Elche last weekend. This means that RSSS have won three of their four home games this season 1-0, with the fourth game (against Sevilla) ending goalless. An under 2.5 or betting that both teams will not score are other lucrative options.
Predicted Real Sociedad line-up:
Remiro – Munoz, le Normand, Elustondo, Zaldua – Guevara, Zubimendi, Merino – Oyarzabal, Isak, Januzaj
Last matches played by Real Sociedad:
France Monaco – Statistics & current form
The UEFA Europa League is only the consolation prize for Niko Kovac’s side as they squandered their Champions League target in the play-offs against top Ukrainian club Shakhtyor Donetsk. This is only the second time (after 2015/16) that the Monegasques have reached the group stage of the Europa League. On that occasion, the team under Leonardo Jardim was eliminated from the competition in the preliminary round.
Upward trend visible
The exit from the top flight was not the only disappointment, because the start of the season in the league was not at all as desired. After five match days, only four points were on the books and Niko Kovac quickly squandered any credit he had earned through a strong season last year.
However, there is now a clear upward trend and after a 2-2 draw against OGC Nice, the Monegasques have recently celebrated two 3-1 victories in a row. Meanwhile, the Monegasques are back within striking distance of their rivals, with only industry leaders PSG playing in a league of their own.
Away in the group stage for years without success
Senegalese Krepin Diatta redeemed Monaco fans on matchday one when he scored the winner in minute 66 for oppressively superior home side. A perfect start in this difficult group. Now it’s time to go one better away from home. An undertaking that has rarely been crowned with success lately.
In the Champions League qualifiers, Monaco did not lose either of their away matches (win and defeat), but in the group stages of the international competitions, the team from the principality has now waited eight away matches for a full success (four draws, four defeats).
In addition, the team from the Principality has won only two of the eleven away games in Spain so far. With all these figures and the strong form of the home side, it is not advisable to make a prediction on the visitors on the second group matchday between Real Sociedad and Monaco. The home win seems much more lucrative here.
Predicted line-up of Monaco:
Nübel – Jakobs, Pavlovic, Maripan, Aguilar – Martins, Tchouameni, Matazo, Diatta – Volland, Isidor
Last matches played by Monaco:
Real Sociedad – Monaco Direct comparison / H2H record
The traditional Basque club from Sociedad and the team from the Principality of Monaco will face each other for the first time in a competitive match on Thursday evening. The teams are by no means completely unfamiliar with each other, however, as the Monegasques visited the Basque country at the end of July as part of their preparations for the current season and were beaten 2-1.
Spain Real Sociedad – Monaco France Tip
The clash in the Basque Country can undoubtedly be described as the top match of the second Europa League matchday. The visitors from the principality could take a big step towards the knockout stage with another win, although Monaco have rarely had reason to cheer in Spain. That’s why betting on Real Sociedad against Monaco is not recommended.
The home side have been in very strong form so far this season and are brimming with confidence after recent results. Accordingly, the role of favourite is absolutely justified and worth considering. Even more interesting, however, is the forecast for Real Sociedad against Monaco on the under 2.5
The Basques have a very strong defence (no goals conceded in four league games), and Monaco will also want to take few risks due to their good starting position. Three goals would therefore be a surprise in this duel.
