On Thursday night, Spanish outfit Real Sociedad host Russian side Zenit St Petersburg in the last game of Group L in the Europa League.
Both teams have already qualified for the knockout stages of the competition. The result of this game will decide which of the two top the group.
Zenit are currently top of the group and one point clear of their hosts. A draw would be enough to see Roberto Mancini’s side head through as group winners.
The Russian side are unbeaten in this seasons group stages, having won four and drawn one of their games so far in the competition. La Real have won four and lost one of the group games so far and know that nothing but a victory will do if they wish to top the group.
The Spaniards have a very strong record in the Europa League, though, winning seven of their nine games in the competition in its current guise. Only Krasnodar and Zenit in the reverse fixture have beaten the men from San Sebastian in the Europa League.
Both of those Europa League defeats have been away from home, as the home side have won all four of their home games at the Anoeta in this competition, while also keeping clean sheets in all four victories.
Zenit’s games in the Europa League group stages this season have been high scoring, with four out their five games producing over 2.5 goals.
Mancini’s side may be unbeaten in the competition this season, but their away record is inconsistent. The Russian side have won two, drawn one and lost three of their last six games on their travels.
Their recent away games in the Europa League have been low scoring, with under 2.5 goals scored in four of their last five away games.
Forebet predicts that this will end in stalemate and Zenit will head through to the knockout stages of the competition as group winners.