AS Monaco will host Spanish underdogs Real Sociedad in Europa League’s Group B game on Thursday.
Venue: Stade Louis II
Key statistics
- Monaco and Real Sociedad are first and second in Group B and haven’t lost a game in Europa League so far. Their reverse fixture also ended in a draw.
- Real Sociedad, who are second in the La Liga table, is one of the three teams alongside Real Madrid and Sevilla with the lowest number of defeats (1) in the Spanish top-flight this season.
- Mikel Oyarzabal is Sociedad’s top scorer in La Liga with 6 goals, while Alexander Isak has netted 2 goals in UEL this season.
- Monaco sit at eighth in the Ligue 1 table this season and are winless in their last four games across all competitions.
Head to Head records
Real Sociedad and Monaco shared the spoils in the reverse fixture in Spain.
Latest performances in all competitions
Monaco: W L D D D
Real Sociedad: W D D W D
AS Monaco
Despite their unbeaten run in Europa League this season, Monaco’s form in Ligue 1 is underwhelming.
After an impressive third-place finish last season, Niko Kovac’s side has failed to exceed the expectations this term, as they are currently eighth in the Ligue 1 table.
Furthermore, they have drawn all of their last three games, including the one against LOSC Lille in Ligue 1 last weekend.
The French outfit would try to end their barren run when they face La Liga giants Real Sociedad on Thursday.
Despite Monaco’s struggles, Wissam Ben Yedder has managed to score 7 goals in Ligue 1 this season, thus keeping up his consistency for the third consecutive season.
Possible Monaco line-up
Alexander Nubel; Aguilar, Maripan, Disasi, Caio Henrique; Martins, Aurelien Tchouameni, Youssouf Fofana, Sofiane Diop; Kevin Volland, Wissam Ben Yedder
Injured: Benoit Badiashile, Cesc Fabregas
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Real Sociedad
Real Sociedad are slowly turning into a top-four side in La Liga, as they are currently a point behind leaders Real Madrid.
The most impressive fact is that they have lost only once in 18 games across all competitions.
Imanol Alguacil’s men are coming off a stalemate against Valencia in La Liga, in which Aritz Elustondo saw a red.
Mikel Oyarzabal is likely to start after missing out around two months due to injury. The Spanish international appeared as a substitute against Valencia.
Oyarzabal would team up with Alexander Isak in the attack, with the Swedish striker proving to be one of the best young prospects in Europe. He has racked up 5 goals and 3 assists so far across all competitions.
Sociedad would look to avoid a defeat as they are only a point ahead of Eredivisie outfit AZ Alkmaar.
Possible Real Sociedad line-up
Alex Remiro; Zaldua, Elustondo, Le Normand, Munoz; Mikel Merino, Martin Zubimendi; Portu, David Silva, Mikel Oyarzabal; Alexander Isak
Injured: None
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Prediction
Monaco 0 – 2 Real Sociedad
