Manchester United host Real Sociedad at Old Trafford on Thursday night in the second leg of their UEFA Europa League (UEL) last-16 tie, with it finally poised after a 1-1 draw in the first leg.
United took encouragement from a spirited 1-1 draw at home to Premier League title challengers Arsenal last weekend, in a game that they could have won given the chances they had. It means the Red Devils are unbeaten after normal time in their last five matches over all competitions.
In contrast, Sociedad lost 1-0 at home to Sevilla in La Liga last weekend, and are now winless in four matches across all competitions, losing three of them. A lack of goals recently is a concern for the Spaniards, who lost each of those games to-nil, and have scored just once in their previous four – against United.
There have been few goals to celebrate for Sociedad too in H2Hs, with just two scored in seven meetings, while they have only won one of those. United have been victorious three times, with three draws also played out.
Nonetheless, Thursday night presents a decent opportunity for the hosts to progress to the quarter-finals.
How the bookies view it: United favourites to go through
United are 4/5 odds-on favourites with BoyleSports to win the second leg, which would send them through to the quarters. A draw is priced at 23/10, while Sociedad are 7/2 to win and ultimately go through.
Recent head-to-head: United let lead slip
Joshua Zirkzee gave United the lead 12 minutes into the second half in the first leg, before the returning Mikel Oyarzabal equalised from the penalty spot.
It is all to play for in the second leg, but the last time these two sides met in the knockout stage of the UEL in the 2020/21 season, United went through.
Players to watch: Fernandes the difference-maker?
Bruno Fernandes is one of very few players in the United squad that possesses undoubted quality. He demonstrated that again with a spectacular free-kick goal that opened the scoring against Arsenal last weekend, and is a tempting 13/2 with BoyleSports to score first against Sociedad.
As mentioned, Oyarzabal marked his return from injury with a goal against United, and Sociedad will need their captain firing again to give them the best chance of going through.
Predicted lineups
United have no new fresh injury concerns ahead of this game, but still a lengthy list of names on the treatement table. Rasmus Hojlund could return to the starting XI should Ruben Amorim resort to the same line-up from the first leg.
Sociedad have much fewer injury concerns, but Jon Pachecho, Alvaro Odriozola and Arsen Zakharyan will be sidelined
Manchester United: Onana, Yoro, De Ligt, Lindelof, Dorgu, Fernandes, Eriksen, Dalot, Garnacho, Hojlund, Zirkzee.
Real Sociedad: Remiro, Elustondo, Aguerd, Zubeldia, Munoz, Marin, Turrientes, Mendez, Kubo, Oyarzabal, Barrenetxea.
Anything else catch the eye?
The H2Hs have generally been low-scoring with just eight goals in the previous seven and two in the last encounter, so Under 2.5 Total Goals at 3/5 with BoyleSports looks a safe bet. It was goalless at half-time in the first leg, and with the tie on a knife-edge, BoyleSports are offering 9/4 for the first goal to be scored in the second half.
This UEFA Europa League match between Manchester United and Real Sociedad will be played on and kick off at 20:00. Check below for our tipsters best Manchester United vs Real Sociedad prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
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