Preview: Real Sociedad vs. HNK Rijeka - prediction, team news, lineups

Real Sociedad will take on HNK Rijeka in matchday five of the Europa League on Thursday night, with the Spanish outfit currently occupying second place in Group F.

Meanwhile, the Croatian side find themselves at the bottom of their group, having failed to register a single point in the competition so far.

Match preview

Real Sociedad have managed two wins out of a possible four in the group stage, drawing their latest European fixture 0-0 against AZ Alkmaar.

Their only defeat in the competition this term has come against current group leaders Napoli, when Gennaro Gattuso's men managed a narrow 1-0 win against their opponents back in October.

However, domestically, Sociedad have been in superb form, picking up seven wins in their opening 11 games, currently putting them at the top of La Liga.

Their most recent result saw a 1-1 draw against a tough Villarreal side, with both goals coming from the penalty spot.

That being said, Imanol Alguacil will need to focus his attention back to the Europa League this Thursday, with the team in desperate need of a win as they currently sit on the same points as AZ in their group.

As for Rijeka, their 2020-21 Europa League campaign has got off to an awful start, with Simon Rozman's men suffering defeats in all four group games so far.

Their previous result was a 2-0 loss away against group favourites Napoli, featuring goals from Matteo Politano and Hirving Lozano.

In fact, Rijeka are known for their troubling away form in the competition, with the Croatian side failing to score in seven of their 11 away games in the Europa League since it was rebranded back in 2009.

Indeed, they are yet to make it further than the group stage, having participated in the competition on three occasions between 2013 and 2017 in the past.

The two sides have only met once, during the reverse fixture at the start of this campaign, where Sociedad managed a 1-0 victory against their opponents, thanks to a late strike by Jon Bautista.

Real Sociedad Europa League form: DWLW Real Sociedad form (all competitions): DDWWWW

HNK Rijeka Europa League form: LLLL HNK Rijeka form (all competitions): DLWLLL

Team News

Alguacil will have a few injury problems heading into Thursday night's game, with Jon Guridi expected to miss the match along with long-term absentees Luca Sangalli and Asier Illarramendi.

David Silva is also unlikely to make his return to the starting XI in midweek, after the former Manchester City man picked up a hamstring injury in their 1-0 win against Cadiz last month.

On the other hand, Rozman will be without youngster Milan Ristovski, with the forward currently nursing a foot injury.

The Slovenian coach is expected to opt for a five-man defence once again, with Sandro Kulenovic likely to start up front, having scored one of their only two goals in the Europa League this term.

Real Sociedad possible starting lineup: Moya; Zaldua, Elustondo, Le Normand, Monreal; Zubimendi, Merino; Portu, Januzaj, Oyarzabal; Isak

HNK Rijeka possible starting lineup: Nevistic; Tomecak, Escoval, Velkoski, Smolcic, Braut; Muric, Cerin, Loncar, Stefulj; Kulenovic

We say: Real Sociedad 2-0 HNK Rijeka

Sociedad should be able to secure a comfortable victory at the Reale Arena on Thursday, with the Spanish side hoping to get back to winning ways this week. Meanwhile, given Rijeka's poor away form in the competition, it is highly unlikely the visitors will be able to net one past their high-flying opponents.

Top betting tip

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