MX23RW : Tuesday, March 19 04:28:41| >> :120:49036:49036:
[monks data]
PSV
Europa League | Group Stage
Sep 16, 2021 at 8pm UK
Philips Stadion
Real Sociedad logo
PSV
2 - 2
Real Sociedad
Gotze (32'), Gakpo (54')
van Ginkel (59'), Vinicius (79')
FT(HT: 1-2)
Januzaj (34'), Isak (39')
Munoz (42'), Guevara (70'), Oyarzabal (77'), Elustondo (84'), Zubeldia (90+1')

Preview: PSV Eindhoven vs. Real Sociedad - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Thursday's Europa League clash between PSV Eindhoven and Real Sociedad, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

PSV Eindhoven and Real Sociedad meet at the Philips Stadion on Thursday evening as they look to start their Group B campaign with maximum points.

The home side have dropped into this competition after losing in the Champions League playoff round, while Sociedad earned their spot in the Europa League through finishing in fifth place in La Liga last season.


Match preview

PSV Eindhoven's Bruma celebrates scoring their first goal against FC Midtjylland on August 10, 2021© Reuters

Having lost just one of their opening 11 matches of the season in all competitions, you would be forgiven for assuming that PSV Eindhoven are delighted with their start to the campaign.

However, despite the nine victories to their name, that solitary defeat to Benfica cost them a place in the Champions League, extending their absence from the group stages to four years.

The Dutch side have been placed in one of the tougher groups with Monaco and Sturm Graz making up Group B, but Roger Schmidt will be enthusiastic about the development of this squad.

PSV sit at the top of the Eredivisie standings with four successive wins, their most recent success coming away at rivals AZ Alkmaar by a 3-0 scoreline.

Remarkably, nine different players have contributed to their 14 goals, not one player registering more than two strikes.

Real Sociedad head coach Imanol Alguacil pictured in December 2020© Reuters

Sociedad also head into this encounter in excellent form, bouncing back from an opening-day defeat at Barcelona with three successive victories.

While Imanol Alguacil's team have not been as flashy as their hosts, recording three clean sheets in a row will not be ignored by their upcoming opponents.

If any negatives are to be taken from their recent upturn in results, two of their most recent four goals have come from the penalty spot.

Mikel Oyarzabal has contributed all but two of their six goals in La Liga, with star forward Alexander Isak still waiting to get off the mark.

PSV Eindhoven form (all competitions):
  • W
  • L
  • W
  • D
  • W
  • W

Real Sociedad form (all competitions):
  • L
  • W
  • W
  • W



Team News

Real Sociedad midfielder David Silva in action against Real Madrid in La Liga on September 20, 2020© Reuters

Schmidt has rotated on a regular basis in the Eredivisie this season, with just one player starting all four matches.

Jordan Teze and Bruma were both among the substitutes at the weekend, but the pair could return to the PSV side.

Goalkeeper Yvon Mvogo may be given an outing between the sticks, while Erick Gutierrez and Yorbe Vertessen are also pushing for recalls.

Alguacil has been more consistent when selecting his Sociedad XIs, as many as seven players starting every game this season.

However, veteran David Silva may drop down to the replacements for this contest, with Adnan Januzaj and Alexander Sorloth both hopeful of a start.

Former Brighton & Hove Albion and Arsenal goalkeeper Mat Ryan could also be handed his debut for the visitors.

PSV Eindhoven possible starting lineup:
Mvogo; Teze, Ramalho, Obispo, Max; Gutierrez, Boscagli; Madueke, Bruma, Gakpo; Zahavi

Real Sociedad possible starting lineup:
Ryan; Gorosabel, Elustondo, Le Normand, Munoz; Guevara, Merino; Januzaj, Portu, Oyarzabal; Sorloth


SM words green background

We say: PSV Eindhoven 1-1 Real Sociedad

With Monaco potentially emerging as the biggest threat in the group, neither of these two sides will want to lose their opening fixture.

With that in mind, we would not be surprised to see a competitive draw play out, one which will satisfy both managers.



Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting a double chance bet on a home win or an away win in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Home/Away:data



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Data Analysis

Our analysis of all available data, including recent performances and player stats up until an hour before kickoff, suggested the most likely outcome of this match was a PSV Eindhoven win with a probability of 42.53%. A win for Real Sociedad had a probability of 32.22% and a draw had a probability of 25.3%.

The most likely scoreline for a PSV Eindhoven win was 1-0 with a probability of 9.39%. The next most likely scorelines for that outcome were 2-1 (8.95%) and 2-0 (7.03%). The likeliest Real Sociedad win was 0-1 (7.97%), while for a drawn scoreline it was 1-1 (11.93%). The actual scoreline of 2-2 was predicted with a 5.7% likelihood.


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Game History

How you voted: PSV vs Real Sociedad

PSV Eindhoven
57.7%
Draw
22.1%
Real Sociedad
20.2%
272
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Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
QWest Ham650115
QFreiburg640212
3Olympiacos62137
4Backa Topola60151

Group B

TeamPWDLPTS
QBrighton641113
QMarseille632111
3Ajax61235
4AEK Athens61144

Group C

TeamPWDLPTS
QRangers632111
QSparta Prague631210
3Betis63039
4Aris Limassol61144

Group D

TeamPWDLPTS
QAtalanta642014
QSporting Lisbon632111
3Sturm Graz61144
4Rakow61144

Group E

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QLiverpool640212
QToulouse632111
3Union SG62228
4LASK61053

Group F

TeamPWDLPTS
QVillarreal641113
QRennes640212
3M. Haifa61235
4Panathinaikos61144

Group G

TeamPWDLPTS
QSlavia Prague650115
QRoma641113
3Servette61235
4Sheriff Tiraspol60151

Group H

TeamPWDLPTS
QB. Leverkusen660018
QQarabag631210
3Molde62137
4Hacken60060

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