RB Leipzig is set to play host to Real Sociedad at the Red Bull Arena on Thursday in their first leg fixture of the UEFA Europa League knockouts playoffs. Match kickoff at 23:00 EAT.
RB Leipzig qualified for the playoffs by finishing third in the Champions League Group A that was made of football giants (Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain). The German side is currently placed 4th in their league table, and in their last five matches they have lost twice winning four thrice. In those five games both teams scored in only two.
Domenico Tedesco’s men come into this fixture confident hoping for another win following 3-1 Bundesliga 1 victory versus Cologne in their last game. In that match RB Leipzig had 50% possession, six shots with four of them on target and goals scored by Christopher Nkunku (25′), Dani Olmo (54′) and Angeliño (57′). FC Köln got nine shots with two of them on target and a goal by Tim Lemperle (91′).
Real Sociedad, on the other hand, are 6th in their league, and boast some interesting players as well. Swedish striker Alexander Isak and Spain international Mikel Oyarzabal are the attacking stars of the side, with Isak in particular linked with some top European clubs. In their last five matches they are two draws, two draws and one loss. Both teams scored in none of their last five matches.
The Spanish side heads into this encounter off the back of 2-0 La Liga win versus Granada in their last fixture. In that match, Real Sociedad had 57% possession, 17 shots with seven of them on target and goals by Mikel Oyarzabal (37′) and Rafinha (74′). Granada CF got 15 shots with two of them on target.
RB Leipzig vs Real Sociedad head to head
This will be the first meeting between these two sides in our records.
Home
- Leipzig 3-1 FC Cologne
- B. Munich 3-2 Leipzig
- Leipzig 2-0 Wolfsburg
- Leipzig 2-0 Rostock
- Stuttgart 0-2 Leipzig
Away
- Real Sociedad 2-0 Granada
- Valencia 0-0 Real Sociedad
- Real Sociedad 0-4 Real Betis
- Real Sociedad 0-0 Getafe
- Real Sociedad 2-0 Atletico
RB Leipzig team news
RB Leipzig will be without German left-back Marcel Halstenberg who is ruled out through injury.
Real Sociedad team news
For the visitors, Ander Barrenetxea, Carlos Fernandez and Nacho Monreal will be unavailable for selection through injuries while is also on suspension.
Prediction and odds
RB Leipzig has thrived under the management of Domenico Tedesco, and has enjoyed some good results in the Bundesliga, therefore we expect them to take a narrow lead over the Spanish side from a disappointing 4-0 exit from the Copa del Rey.
- RB Leipzig Win
- Draw
- Both teams to score
