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Viktoria Plzen will invite Real Sociedad to Doosan Arena in the league phase of the UEFA Europa League on Thursday. The hosts have endured a winless start to the competition, drawing all three games while Sociedad have a win, a loss, and a draw to their name.
Plzen saw their unbeaten streak across all competitions ended after eight games on Sunday as they fell to a 1-0 away loss to Slovácko in the Czech First League. They failed to score for the first time in six games and will look to return to goalscoring ways.
The visitors met Sevilla in LaLiga on Sunday and recorded a 2-0 away win. Takefusa Kubo broke the deadlock in the 34th minute and Mikel Oyarzabal doubled their lead in the 68th minute from the penalty spot.
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The hosts played PAOK in their previous Europa League outing and were held to a 2-2 draw, as they gave away a two-goal lead late in the second half. Sociedad recorded their first win of the Europa League campaign last month with a 2-1 away win over Maccabi Tel-Aviv.
Viktoria Plzen vs Real Sociedad Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
- The two teams will meet for the first time.
- Plzen have met Spanish teams 10 times in all competitions, recording just one win. Sociedad have fared a little better against Czech teams, with four wins in eight meetings.
- Viktoria Plzen have enjoyed an unbeaten home record across all competitions this season, keeping seven clean sheets in nine games.
- Real Sociedad are unbeaten in their last five away games, recording three consecutive wins. They kept three clean sheets during that period.
- Sociedad have just one win in their last six games in the Europa League.
Viktoria Plzen vs Real Sociedad Prediction
Plzen suffered their first loss since September on Sunday and will look to bounce back here. They are unbeaten in their last eight home games in the Europa League, recording seven wins, and are strong favorites. Sampson Dweh will serve a suspension here following his red card against PAOK last time around.
Txuri-Urdin have won three of their last four games while keeping two clean sheets. They have suffered just one loss in their last seven away games in the Europa League, recording four wins. They have scored two goals apiece in four games during that period.
Ander Barrenetxea and Beñat Turrientes did not train earlier this week due to knocks and are major doubts. Arsen Zakharyan remains sidelined with an injury alongside Hamari Traore and Pablo Marín.
Plzen have a good home record in the competition and, having drawn their three games in the Europa League this season, another draw seems to be on the cards.
Prediction: Viktoria Plzen 1-1 Real Sociedad
Viktoria Plzen vs Real Sociedad Betting Tips
Tip 1: Result - Draw
Tip 2: Goals - Over/Under 2.5 Goals - Under 2.5 goals
Tip 3: At least one goal to be scored in the second half - Yes
Tip 4: Both Teams to Score - Yes
