AZ Alkmaar take an eight-game unbeaten streak up against Real Sociedad on Thursday night in the Europa League. The Dutch club are atop Group F with six points from six available.
Group rival Real Sociedad are just three points behind AZ Alkmaar and hope to rebound following Europa League matchday 2’s loss to Napoli at home. In the group’s other game, Napoli play Rijeka and by the end of the night, three teams could all sit on six points in Group F.
🔙 @AritzElustondo, con el equipo 🙌#UEL #EuropaRS #AurreraReala— Real Sociedad Fútbol (@RealSociedad) November 4, 2020
🔙 @AritzElustondo, con el equipo 🙌#UEL #EuropaRS #AurreraReala
Real Sociedad have won five of their last six games in all competitions. In spite of last week’s loss to Napoli, the Royal won 4-1 in La Liga against Celta Vigo at the weekend. Real Sociedad are unexpectedly leading La Liga after eight matchdays with 17 points from 24.
There is a fear that Real Sociedad’s Europa League commitments could get in the way of their La Liga title fight. So far, the club have played well on both fronts and will aim to keep it up.
Although AZ Alkmaar are unbeaten in their last eight games in all competitions, just three of those matches finished in wins. The Cheeseheads have struggled to turn draws into wins in the Eredivisie.
They have not had the same issue in the Europa League claiming a 1-0 win away to Napoli and a 4-1 win against Rijeka. Real Sociedad’s games have both been low scoring to this point. A 1-0 win versus Rijeka was followed by last week’s 1-0 loss to Napoli.
Both Real Sociedad games were decided by second-half goals. Real Sociedad have played 10 times in all competitions scoring 19 goals and conceding five times. Their defence has been immense in the early stages of the season. They have kept five clean sheets.
AZ Alkmaar have scored 21 goals in 10 games in all competitions. Arne Slot’s team have been guilty of conceding goals with 16 allowed across 10 matches. Just twice have AZ Alkmaar kept clean sheets. Away from home, AZ Alkmaar have allowed 11 goals.
Real Sociedad players Jon Pacheco, Joseba Zaldua, Igor Zubeldia, Asier Illarramendi, and Luca Sangalli are all expected to miss the tie. AZ Alkmaar players Kjell Scherpen and Mohammed Kudus could both return from their respective knocks.
Thursday night’s game at Anoeta should go Real Sociedad’s way as they get a second victory in the Europa League. The win will pull them level on points with AZ Alkmaar in the group.
Real Sociedad should breakout with goals on Thursday night and take advantage of AZ Alkmaar’s porous defence. Expect over 2.5 goals as the Royal claim a big win.