Sports Mole previews Thursday’s Europa League clash between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Real Sociedad, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Real Sociedad will look to claim their first win of the Europa League main draw when face Maccabi Tel Aviv in Beograd on Thursday.
Meanwhile, Maccabi are still waiting to get on the board after losing their opening two matches of the league phase.
Match preview
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After dropping down from Champions League qualifying, Maccabi made light work of their two Europa League qualifying ties, beating Panevezys 5-1 on aggregate, before sweeping past TSC by an 8-1 scoreline over the two legs.
Unfortunately for Maccabi, they have found it much tougher in the opening two matches of the main draw, having failed to take anything from their first two games against Braga and Midtjylland.
They conceded two late goals to lose 2-1 to Braga on matchday one, before they shipped two goals without reply in their most recent European outing against the Danish champions, ensuring they are one of six teams yet to pick up a point in the league phase.
The Israeli champions have managed to build some momentum following the defeat to Midtjylland, having claimed consecutive victories over Maccabi Netanya and Maccabi Haifa to establish a five-point lead at the top of their domestic league.
Having won six of their seven league games this season (D1), Zarko Lazetic will be desperate for his side to carry their domestic form into European competition.
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Real Sociedad are back competing in the Europa League after experiencing the heights of Champions League football last season.
La Real managed to successfully navigate their way through the group stage, before their Champions League journey was ended by a last-16 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.
Real Sociedad will have high hopes of making a knockout round appearance in the Europa League, although their bid to progress from the league phase has got off to a rocky start, having taken just one point from their first two matches of the main draw.
The Basque side played out a 1-1 draw in their opening game against Nice, before they gave up a slender lead to lose 2-1 in their home meeting with Anderlecht, extending their winless run in the Europa League to five matches.
In truth, Real Sociedad have struggled to find their best form in the first couple of months of the season, having won three, drawn four and lost five of their 12 matches in all competitions.
However, they will have the chance to claim consecutive victories after recording a narrow 1-0 win in Saturday’s away match against Girona thanks to Mikel Oyarzabal‘s first goal of the season and a resolute defence which recorded a third clean sheet in five competitive away games.
Maccabi Tel Aviv Europa League form:
Maccabi Tel Aviv form (all competitions):
Real Sociedad Europa League form:
Real Sociedad form (all competitions):
Team News
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Maccabi are still having to cope without the services of Sagiv Jehezkel and Roy Revivo, while Dor Turgeman is a doubt after missing the last four matches through injury.
Tyrese Asante and Gabi Kanichowsky are both available for selection after missing the defeat to Midtjylland due to suspension.
Elad Madmon has scored in Maccabi’s last two league games, and he will look to take his recent domestic form onto the European stage when he features in the front line against Real Sociedad.
As for the visitors, they are unable to call upon defender Hamari Traore and midfielder Pablo Marin due to knee and thigh injuries respectively.
Arsen Zakharyan has returned to training following an ankle injury, but it remains to be seen whether he will be passed fit to make his first matchday squad of the season.
Imanol Alguacil is likely to make changes for Thursday’s contest, with Alvaro Odriozola, Jon Pacheco, Javi Lopez, Benat Turrientes and Take Kubo all in contention to start against Maccabi
Maccabi Tel Aviv possible starting lineup:
Mishpati; Asante, Stojic, Shlomo, Nachmias; Peretz, Kanichowsky, Sissokho; Davida, Addo, Madmon,
Real Sociedad possible starting lineup:
Remiro; Odriozola; Zubeldia, Pacheco, Lopez; Mendez, Zubimendi, Turrientes Barrenetxea; Kubo, Oyarzabal
We say: Maccabi Tel Aviv 1-1 Real Sociedad
With the game taking place in Serbia, the contest may feel more like a neutral fixture rather than a Maccabi home game.
While that could work in Real Sociedad’s favour, the visitors have failed to claim consecutive victories this season, and we think that inconsistency could continue with a draw in Thursday’s contest.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.