Europa League | League Stage

Nov 7, 2024 at 8pm UK

Doosan Arena

Plzen vs Real Sociedad

Match preview

Plzeň are still unbeaten in Europe this season, having followed four wins in qualifying with three consecutive draws in the league phase.

After beating Kryvbas and Hearts in qualifying, Plzen started the league phase with an entertaining draw against Eintracht Frankfurt. They came from 3-1 down to draw 3-3 in Germany.

They then played Ludogorets to a goalless draw, before missing out on the chance to get the three points in their away match against PAOK on matchday three.

Milan Havel and Matej Vydra both scored in the first half to put Plzeň in a strong position, but PAOK scored in the 84th and 93rd minute to ensure the Czech side had to settle for a share of the spoils.

Since they got back from Greece, they've beaten Sparta Prague and Usti nad Labem in the league and cup, but lost 1-0 to Slovacko on Sunday.

While they didn't get the result they were hoping for on Saturday, Plzeň have shown they can hold their own on home turf, winning seven and drawing two of their nine competitive home games.

Real Sociedad have had a bit of a mixed start to their European campaign, taking four points from their three matches so far.

La Real got off to a mixed start in the league, drawing 1-1 away to Nice before losing 2-1 at home to Anderlecht.

Imanol Alguacil's team gave their European campaign a boost with a narrow win over Maccabi Tel Aviv on matchday two. Jon Pacheco and Sergio Gomez scored in a 2-1 victory.

After that, La Real lost 2-0 at home to Osasuna. But they bounced back with a 2-0 away win against Sevilla, thanks to a goal from Take Kubo and a penalty from Mikel Oyarzabal.

As a result of their successful trip to Andalusia, Real Sociedad have now won each of their previous away matches, extending their unbeaten away run to five matches since they lost to Mallorca on September 17.

La Real will be looking to produce another strong defensive display on Thursday, having conceded just three goals in their eight competitive away matches this season.

Recent Performance

Viktoria Plzen Europa League form:WWWDDD

Viktoria Plzen form (all competitions):DWWDWL

Real Sociedad Europa League form:DLW

Real Sociedad form (all competitions):LDWWLW

Team News

Miroslav Koubek, the boss of Plzeň, is likely to be without the injured trio of Lukas Hejda, Jan Sykore and Rafiu Durosinmi.

Sampson Dweh is suspended after getting sent off against PAOK, while Prince Kwabena Adu is set to miss one match for accumulating too many yellow cards.

Those two suspensions could be a chance for defender Jan Paluska and forward Daniel Vasulin to get a start.

The visitors are likely to be without Benat Turrents, Ander Barrenetxea, Arsen Zakharyan, Pablo Marin and Hamari Traoré.

Pacheco could be brought into the side to play in a back four with Jon Aramburu, Nayef Aguerd and Javi Lopez.

Alguacil might make a few more changes to give his side a boost, with Sheraldo Becker and Orri Oskarsson both in the running to start against Plzen.

Possible starting lineups

Viktoria Plzen possible starting lineup:

Jedlicka; Paluska, Markovic, Jemelka; Havel, Cerv, Kalvach, Cadu; Sulc; Vydra, Vasulin

Real Sociedad possible starting lineup:

Remiro; Aramburu, Zubeldia, Aguerd, Lopez; Mendez, Zubimendi, Sucic, Gomez; Oskarsson, Becker