Preview: Real Sociedad vs Ajax – prediction, team news, lineups

Dutch giants Ajax will travel to the Basque region of Spain on Thursday Europa League collision against Real company.

The hosts start the fifth matchday 25th place in the league phasewhile the guests sit pretty much in second place.

Game preview

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Real Sociedad are just outside the qualification places after one win, one draw and two defeats in their four Europa League games this season.

La Real started their European campaign with a draw against Nice and a defeat against Anderlecht before recording a much-needed win over Maccabi Tel Aviv on matchday three.

Unfortunately for Real Sociedad, they were unable to repeat this result in their last European game against Viktoria Plzen. They conceded a goal in the 89th minute and suffered a narrow 1-2 defeat away from home.

Imanol AlguacilThe Barcelona team bounced back from that defeat to beat Barcelona and Jove Espanol in the La Liga and Copa del Rey respectively, but were halted by a 1-0 defeat in Sunday’s Basque derby against Athletic Bilbao and found themselves in a disappointing 10th place . place in La Liga.

Real Sociedad will be looking to get back to winning ways in the upcoming Europa League clash, but they have found it difficult to consistently win at home this season, having won just two of their eight competitive games at the Reale Arena (D1, L5).

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After a difficult 2023/24 season, Ajax is enjoying better fortunes under the leadership of the Italian coach Francesco Farioli.

The former Nice head coach has seen his side go on a 16-match unbeaten run in all competitions since their last defeat against NAC Breda on August 18.

Four of those 16 games came in the main draw of the Europa League, with Farioli’s side taking ten points from the four games to move three points clear of ninth place in the battle for automatic qualification for the last 16.

Ajax took four points from their first two games of the league phase before they prevailed with 3-0 and 5-0 wins against Qarabag and Maccabi Tel Aviv respectively.

After scoring 13 goals in the first four matchdays, Ajax travel to Spain as the league’s top scorer and will be hoping to use their firepower to secure their ninth win in ten competitive games.

Real Sociedad Europa League form:

Real Sociedad form (all competitions):

Ajax Europa League form:

Ajax form (all competitions):

Team news

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Real Sociedad cannot rely on a striker Orri Oskarssonwho suffered a calf injury in Iceland’s UEFA Nations League defeat to Wales earlier this month.

defender Hamari Traore is a long-term absence while Arsen Zakharyan continues to work on his recovery from an ankle injury.

Alguacil might be tempted to make a few changes to freshen up their squad Aihen Munoz, Brais Mendez And Sheraldo Becker among those who are considered for starting places.

Ajax is now ahead Mika Godts will miss Thursday’s away game after suffering a hamstring injury against Twente earlier this month.

Godts is accompanied on the sidelines by Gaston Avila And Sivert Mannsverkwhile Kenneth Taylor is suspended for one game due to an accumulation of yellow cards.

midfielder Davy Klaasen will drop out of the starting lineup as he is not in Ajax’s squad for the league phase.

Possible Real Sociedad starting lineup:
Remiro; Aramburu, Zubeldia, Aguerd, Munoz; Mendez, Sucic, Zubimendi, Gomez, Becker; Oyarzabal

Ajax possible starting lineup:
Pasveer; Rensch, Sutalo, Baas, Hato; Fitz Jim, Henderson, Taylor; Akpom, Berghuis, Weghorst

We say: Real Sociedad 1:1 Ajax

Real Sociedad will be determined to pick up their second European Cup win of the season, but we believe the hosts may have to settle for a share of the spoils when they face an Ajax side who are unbeaten in 16 games in all competitions .

To data analyze the most likely outcomes, scores and more for this game Please click here.

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