The second leg of the 2024/25 Europa League Round of 16 between Manchester United (England) and Real Sociedad (Spain) will take place on March 13 at Old Trafford. The score of the first match was 1-1. Manchester United vs. Real Sociedad: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Manchester United
The Red Devils achieved a satisfactory result in the first match, drawing away in Spain (1-1). In the return leg, the English side needs to defeat their opponents by any score to advance in the tournament. Interestingly, Manchester United is the only club in the Champions League and Europa League that has not lost in this European season (5 wins and 4 draws). If they progress to the quarter-finals, it will be their fourth appearance at this stage of the Europa League in the last five years.
- No more than three goals have been scored in 6 of Manchester United's last 7 matches in this tournament.
- Both teams have scored in 7 of the last 9 matches for Manchester United in the Europa League.
- At least two goals have been scored in the second half in 6 of the last 8 matches for the English side in this European competition.
Predicted lineup for Manchester United (3-4-3)
Andre Onana – Matthijs de Ligt, Leny Yoro, Noussair Mazraoui – Diogo Dalot, Casemiro, Patrick Dorgu, Bruno Fernandes – Joshua Zirkzee, Alejandro Garnacho, Rasmus Højlund.
Due to injuries, goalkeeper Altay Bayındır, defenders Leny Yoro, Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw, and Jonny Evans, midfielders and Mason Mount, as well as forwards Amad Diallo and Kobbie Mainoo will be unavailable.
Real Sociedad
The Spaniards complicated their task of advancing to the next round of the Europa League by only drawing at home. Meanwhile, the Basque side's winless streak in this tournament has grown to four matches (previously three wins). They need to win in England to reach the quarter-finals of a European competition for the first time in 35 years. If they manage to draw after 90 minutes, extra time will be played.
- The club has not lost in 6 of their last 7 matches in this tournament (5 wins and 1 draw).
- Exactly two or three goals have been scored in 9 of Real Sociedad's last 11 Europa League games.
- Both teams have scored in 8 of the last 11 matches for the Spaniards in this European competition.
Predicted lineup for Real Sociedad (4-3-3)
Alejandro Remiro – Aritz Elustondo, Nayef Aguerd, Aihen Muñoz, Igor Zubeldia – Brais Méndez, Luka Sučić, Beñat Turrientes – Takefusa Kubo, Ander Barrenetxea, Mikel Oyarzabal.
Defenders Álvaro Odriozola and Jon Pacheco, as well as midfielder Arsen Zakharyan, will miss the match due to injuries.
Manchester United vs. Real Sociedad: Match Prediction
The Red Devils have accumulated only 33 points after 27 rounds. The club has not collected so few points at this stage of the league since the formation of the Premier League. It's highly likely that the team will not finish in the top 6 or even in the top half of the league table. They can salvage the disappointing season by winning the Europa League. Therefore, Ruben Amorim is motivating his players solely for victory in the upcoming match.
The San Sebastian side is also not in the best form; however, their position in La Liga is noticeably better, with the European competition zone nearby. However, the team plays poorly away and has lost five times in their last six outings in La Liga and the Europa League, defeating only Midtjylland. Moreover, the Spaniards have already played seven matches against Manchester United in the Champions League and Europa League, winning only once (3 draws and 3 losses). In these encounters, the Basques have scored only two goals.
My prediction: Manchester United to win
