THIS IS an important match for both Plzen and Real Sociedad in an attempt to strengthen their respective positions of trying to stay in touch with the top eight. Here we dive into a preview of this intriguing Europa League fixture on Thursday, November 7th from the Doosan Arena.
How the bookies view it: Sociedad favourites for three points.
Real Sociedad are favourites for the match at an odds-on quote of 5/6 with 888Sport. The La Liga side sits just one point ahead of their opponents going into Matchday 4. With the 10/3 underdogs Viktoria Plzen winless in the campaign, the match is expected to narrowly go the way of the Spaniards.
Recent head-to-head: First meeting coming up
Thursday will see the first-ever competitive meeting between Viktoria Plzen and Real Sociedad.
Players to watch: Can Prince stun the Royals?
Viktoria Plzen’s Pavel Sucic is their top scorer this season with 5 goals in 13 appearances, and he bagged a goal in their 3-3 draw at Eintracht Frankfurt on Matchday 1. But the man with the form in front of goal at the moment for the Czech side is Price Adu, who has netted six goals in his last eight fixtures and he also netted in that game against Frankfurt.
No player for Sociedad has stood out in front of goal this season. They have Orri Oskarsson and Mikel Oyarzabal as their main forwards, however, neither are having a prolific season and neither has struck in Europe yet during this campaign. Oyarzabal did get on the scoresheet from the penalty spot in a win at Sevilla on the weekend.
Predicted Lineups
Viktoria Plzen has played a few players with niggles, including Jan Sykora and Rafiu Durosinmi, while Christopher Kabongo is out with a knee problem. Real Sociedad have a few in the treatment room including Pablo Marin, Ander Barrenetxea and Hamari Traore.
Viktoria Plzen: Jedlicka, Markovic, Jemelka, Dweh, Cerv, Cadu, Kalvach, Havel, Vydra, Sulc, Adu
Sociedad: Remiro, Zubeldia, Lopez, Aguerd, Aramburu, Zubimendi, Kubo, Gomez, Mendez, Sucic, Oyarzabal
Anything else catches the eye?
Viktoria Plzen’s form isn’t to be overlooked at all for this fixture, as they have only lost twice across all competitions this season. In the Europa League, they have drawn all three games played, against Eintracht Frankfurt, Ludogorets and PAOK. This one against Real Sociedad is a little tougher, but the Czech side can take great heart from that draw against Frankfurt.
Plzen are also undefeated on home turf this season and have earned seven clean sheets in nine matches there. That includes a clean sheet in all three Europa League games (including qualifiers). So this has the look of being a low-scoring game, and all but two of Plzen's home fixtures this season have made it above the 2.5 goal line.
Real Sociedad don’t really pack a punch up front, either. The La Liga side have improved a little recently with three wins in their last four played. That was after winning one of their first eight of the season. In the Europa League, they drew against Nice, were beaten at home by Anderlecht and then took a one-goal margin over Maccabi Tel Aviv.
This UEFA Europa League match between Viktoria Plzen and Real Sociedad will be played on Nov 7, 2024 and kick off at 20:00. Check below for our tipsters best Viktoria Plzen vs Real Sociedad prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
