This season has been a superb one for Real Sociedad in La Liga, as La Real currently sit top of the Spanish top-flight table.
Imanol Alguacil’s team also look good for qualification of the knockout stages of the Europa League. The team from San Sebastian are second-place in Group F heading into gameweek five’s home match with whipping boys Rijeka.
The Basque side are level on points with third place AZ and just two points behind group leaders Napoli.
The home team have taken four points from their two games against the Dutch side, which puts them in a good position to qualify for the knockout stages of the competition. However, they cannot afford any slip-ups or complacency.
One slight concern for Real Sociedad is their recent home form in the Europa League, as La Real have won just one of their last four home games in the competition.
However, a 1-0 win over AZ that ended a three-game winless run on home soil could yet prove to be a pivotal result in deciding which teams makes it to the knockout stages of the competition.
This season’s Europa League campaign has been one to forget for Croatian outfit Rijeka. The visitors have lost all their games in Group F, while also conceding at least two goals in their last three matches.
Their poor recent results in the Europa League may not be too surprising, as they have now won just one of their previous eight matches in the competition in 90 minutes.
Unsurprisingly, Rijeka also have a poor recent away record in the Europa League, losing three of their last four matches on their travels in the competition.
Forebet predicts that Real Sociedad will record a narrow victory that could be enough to seal their place in the knockout stages of the Europa League.