Bournemouth are not used to playing on the European scene and might shuffle lineup to preserve fitness for upcoming clash against Liverpool. Home win is a value bet on Thursday.
Key Stats
- Real Sociedad have won 2 of their last 4 matches.
- Bournemouth are winless in 6 of their last 7 matches (including pre-season).
First Competitive H2H
These two sides played three friendly matches so far, two ending without a winner, Sociedad snatching one victory.
Sociedad Improved Recently
Real Sociedad caused a couple of big upsets and won the Spanish Cup last season which got them a spot in the Europa League main stage.
Pellegrino Matarazzo’s side is having mixed results in La Liga in the ongoing campaign, grabbing seven points from six matches.
They picked up nice momentum after beating Espanyol 2-1 in late August, followed by a goalless draw against Celta Vigo and a 3-2 victory at Elche, but got smashed by Atletico Madrid 3-0 last weekend.
Visitors are Winless in the EPL
AFC Bournemouth also qualified for the UEL main stage automatically by securing sixth position in the Premier League last season, while starting the new campaign under new leadership.
Marco Rose was appointed new head manager earlier this summer, but the results are not looking good so far, the Cherries being winless after four EPL rounds (collected three points). Last weekend, they earned just one point at home against Brentford 2-2.
The only victory for Bournemouth this season was earned in the EFL Cup in early September, outplaying Lincoln 4-0. Ryan Christie stole the spotlight here, scoring three goals.
Team News & Predicted Lineups
Real Sociedad (4-4-2) Unai Marrero; Hector Fort, Malang Sarr, Jon Pacheco, Sergio Gomez; Joseph Ochieng, Yangel Herrera, Carlos Soler, Goncalo Guedes; Mikel Oyarzabal, Orri Oskarsson
The hosts have to handle notable defensive absences, with Alvaro Odriozola and Igor Zubeldia sidelined through injury while Jon Aramburu serves a red card suspension.
The hosts have to handle notable defensive absences, with Alvaro Odriozola and Igor Zubeldia sidelined through injury while Jon Aramburu serves a red card suspension.
Bournemouth (4-2-3-1) Djordje Petrovic; Adam Smith, James Hill, Igor Silva, Adrien Truffert; Tyler Adams, Alex Scott; Rayan, Justin Kluivert, Marcus Tavernier; Evanilson
Bournemouth have traveled to Spain coping with several injury concerns as Julian Araujo, Amine Adli, Veljko Milosavljevic, and Eli Junior Kroupi remain unavailable.
Bournemouth have traveled to Spain coping with several injury concerns as Julian Araujo, Amine Adli, Veljko Milosavljevic, and Eli Junior Kroupi remain unavailable.