by Craig Brett on Wed 2nd November 2022, 8:56am (updated 2nd Nov 2022, 12:57pm)
Real Sociedad will host Manchester United to finish out Europa League Group E on Thursday night. La Real lead Group E ahead of matchday No 6 at Anoeta. A win or draw for Real Sociedad would send them into the round of 16 as the group winner.
Manchester United must win against Real Sociedad to win the group. Along with winning the match, Manchester United must win the game by three goals to finish top of the group. It is a doable task, and manager Erik ten Hag should fancy the team’s chances.
Real Sociedad won the reverse fixture against Man United 1-0. The match looked destined for a draw, but a penalty goal from Brais Mendez just before the hour-mark gave La Real the win. It was a controversial call and it could see Manchester United forced to go through the last 16 playoffs to reach the Europa League knockout stages.
Sportsbooks’ best betting odds on a Real Sociedad win at full-time are 11/5. Manchester United are at odds of 5/4, while a draw is at the best betting odds of 12/5. Let’s explore some ideas for a bet builder for the Europa League fixture.
We've put together this five selection bet builder for Thursday's Europa League tie between Real Soceidad and Manchester United that could see you return £100 from just a £10 stake. Check it out below.
Real Sociedad have never defeated Manchester United in European football. United went to Anoeta in 2020-21 and left with a 4-0 win. The Red Devils would need to win by a 4-0 scoreline to have any hope of going through as the group winner.
The Red Devils are in excellent form with their last eight games ending without defeat. Six of their last eight games ended as wins.
Real Sociedad are coming off a La Liga loss to Real Betis. It was Sociedad’s second loss in three games in all competitions. Sociedad were outscored 5-2 in their last three games and the pressure is on La Real to draw at the very least versus Man United.
Manchester United’s record against Sociedad away is good with a win and a draw in the last two trips. Our betting tips prediction is for Man United to win at full-time.
Manchester United’s defence is playing well in all competitions. Since giving up six goals to Manchester City in the derby, the Red Devils have conceded just four goals in eight games in all competitions.
Real Sociedad failed to score in two of their last three games in all competitions. They lost both of those matches.
Five of Manchester United’s last six games in all competitions ended with both teams not scoring goals. The Red Devils won all five of those games.
Ten Hag should get his tactics right in San Sebastian. Sociedad scored just 26 goals in 17 games this season for an average of 1.53. United have kept eight clean sheets this season. Our betting tips prediction is for both teams not to score.
Three of the last four games between these teams finished the first half as draws. United failed to win any of those matches in the second period. However, on Thursday night, Man United should win the second half.
Three of Manchester United’s 17 games this season saw them drawing at halftime and winning at full-time. Thursday’s match away to Sociedad should be a close affair, with the Red Devils edging it in the second period.
Real Sociedad do not have to win, but they cannot lose by more than three goals. Our betting tips prediction is for a tight first half once more between Sociedad and United. The first half should finish as a draw, with the Red Devils winning the second period.
Manchester United’s last seven matches in all competitions ended with under 3.5 goals scored. Just one of their last five games versus Sociedad in Europe finished with over 3.5 goals scored.
Both teams play strong defensive football and Real Sociedad will aim to keep Man United out of the goal. Our betting tips prediction is for under 3.5 goals at the end of full-time on Thursday.
Real Sociedad’s last eight games in all competitions finished with under 3.5 goals. All five of La Real’s games in the group stage finished with under 3.5 goals. Four of Manchester United’s five games in the group ended with under 3.5 goals scored.
Manchester United will push for the needed goals to go through. However, they may come up just short of the required number. A 3-0 win would put the teams level on points and goal difference. The Red Devils would have better goals for and goals against records if they achieve a 3-0 win.
The reverse fixture between Real Sociedad and Manchester United ended with eight corners. Manchester United led the way with five corners to Real Sociedad’s three.
Our betting tips prediction is for over 5.5 corners on Thursday night at Anoeta. Manchester United should spend a lot of time in Sociedad’s half of the pitch. An onslaught on the Sociedad goal could occur with Manchester United’s shots being repelled.
Manchester United average the lowest number of corners in the Premier League this season with 7.1 They tally 2.9 per game and concede 4.2 to opponents.
Real Sociedad average 7.6 corners per match in La Liga. They accumulate 4.4 corners for and concede 3.2 corners to opponents. The Europa League rivals should once again combine for more than 5.5 corners in this important matchday No 6 fixture. Real Sociedad will need to batten down the hatches, as Man United should attack them repeatedly.