Matchday 4 of the 2024/25 Europa League group stage will see Viktoria Plzen (Czech Republic) clash with Real Sociedad (Spain) on November 7th at the Doosan Arena. Viktoria Plzen vs Real Sociedad: prediction and betting, odds, statistics.
Probable Lineups for Viktoria Plzen vs Real Sociedad
Viktoria Plzen (4-4-2): Martin Edlichka – Vaclav Jemelka, Svetozar Markovic, Sampson Dweh, Milan Havel – Alexandr Sojka, Pavel Sulc, Lukas Kalvach, Kadu Cruz – Matej Vydra, Prince Kwabena Adu.
Real Sociedad (4-4-2): Unai Marrero – Jon Ander Aranburu, Xavi Lopez, Jon Pacheco, Naif Aguerd – Benyat Turrientes, Brais Mendez, Martin Zubimendi, Takefusa Kubo – Mikel Oyarzabal, Umar Sadiq.
Each team's starting lineup is listed from their last match in this tournament.
Viktoria Plzen
The Czechs have drawn all three of their current group stage matches in the Europa League. Manchester United has also shown the same level of compromise, drawing at home with Ludogorets (0:0), as well as sharing points away with Eintracht (3:3) and PAOK (2:2). Alongside the Mancunians, Viktoria occupies the 20th spot in the standings. It is worth noting that the Czech team has gone seven matches without a loss in this European competition (4 wins and 3 draws).
Defender Sampson Dweh will miss the encounter due to suspension. Head coach Miroslav Koubek will also be absent from the bench after receiving a red card in the third round.
- A maximum of three goals were scored in regular time in 17 of Viktoria's last 19 Europa League games.
- The club didn't concede in the 90 minutes of their last five home games in this tournament.
- Moreover, the Czechs have not conceded a single goal in the second 45 minutes of their last 10 home matches in the Europa League.
Real Sociedad
The Spaniards secured their first victory in the group stage of the Europa League in the last round, defeating Maccabi Tel Aviv 2:1 on neutral ground. Before that, the San Sebastian side drew away with Nice (1:1) and lost at home to Anderlecht (1:2). Real Sociedad sits in 16th place with 4 points. In their last six matches in this European competition, the team has only managed one victory (2 draws and 3 losses).
- Real Sociedad has not scored more than one goal in 5 of their last 6 Europa League games.
- A maximum of three goals have been scored in the last 11 matches of the San Sebastian club in this tournament.
- Exactly two or three goals were scored in 8 of the club's last 10 Europa League encounters.
Viktoria Plzen vs Real Sociedad: Match Prediction
Bookmakers favor the visitors in this matchup, likely due to the higher ranking of Spain's La Liga over the Czech championship. However, I believe that the hosts will at least avoid defeat. Viktoria hasn't lost in regular time at home in the Europa League for 13 matches now, claiming an impressive 12 victories (with one draw). The team is also second in their domestic league, having lost only twice after 13 rounds.
The Spanish club hasn't been impressive this season. They had a poor start to the main stage of the European competition, only managing to beat the modest Maccabi, which has been playing exclusively away for the last year. Their performance in La Liga is also lackluster, with the San Sebastian side sitting mid-table.
With a bit of caution, I suggest betting on the hosts with a handicap. The Spaniards rarely win away games by a margin of two or more goals. In their last 15 away matches, the Basques have only managed two victories with more than a one-goal difference. My prediction is "Viktoria Plzen with a handicap (+1)" at odds of .
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