Real Sociedad vs PAOK Prediction: Hosts to get themselves over the line

Real Sociedad and PAOK will be looking to secure their places in the Uefa Europa League play-offs as they square up against one another at Reale Arena for their final fixture of the first phase on Thursday (20:00, discovery+). The teams are level on 10 points with the visitors one place ahead in the standings (17th). 

Their security in the top 24 is only by two points, so both ideally need to win this match to avoid late heartache. Below you will find my Real Sociedad vs PAOK prediction, where you will also find the latest team news and match odds.

Real Sociedad vs PAOK Odds

Real Sociedad have lost their last three matches in all competitions, but they have prevailed in their previous two home ties in the Europa League. They are 8/15 to come out on top on Thursday.

PAOK have blanked in two of their seven matches thus far, so backing a home win with both teams to score at 11/5 (which has an implied probability of 31.3%) may be more enticing.

The two teams have experienced one draw each in the league phase, so the stalemate is on offer at 3/1. PAOK are 11/2 (15.4%) to take the three points, which they have managed in their three latest fixtures in this competition.

At least one team has failed to score in the visitors' last four outings in Europe, and BTTS No can be backed at 10/11 for this encounter.

Football Odds

Team News

Real Sociedad left-back Aihen Munoz sustained a back injury in the defeat to Getafe in La Liga on Sunday but he was already going to miss the visit of PAOK as the result of his sending off in last week's defeat at Lazio.

Right-back Hamari Traore is making progress in his recovery from a long-term knee problem, but it will still be a while before we see him return to competitive action.

Attacker Arsen Zakharyan will need to be closely monitored ahead of kick-off after missing the last four matches with an ankle issue. Should he be declared fit, a place on the substitutes bench seems the most likely place for him.

Spain's Euro 2024 final hero, Mikel Oyarzabal, should lead the line once again for Txuri-Urdin, having netted twice in this competition already. Ander Barrenetxea, their top scorer with three, will be hoping to feature in the final third, either as the centre-forward or out on the left flank.

Takefusa Kubo, who is being tipped for a big move in the future, is expected to occupy the right side of the attack. Martin Zubimendi, who is being linked with a summer transfer to Arsenal, is likely to anchor the hosts' midfield.

For PAOK, they are heading to the Basque region with two injury concerns in attacker Andrija Zivkovic and defender Omar Colley. Boss Razvan Lucescu will be able to call upon midfielder Mady Camara here, following the completion of his one-match ban against Slavia Prague a week ago.

Ex-Liverpool defender Dejan Lovren, Jiri Pavlenka, Jonathan Gomez, Vierinha, Sergio Pena, Thomas Murg and former Aston Villa striker Mbwama Ally Samatta are not available because they were not named in the Greek team's squad for this stage of the competition.

Real Sociedad and both teams to score @ 11/5

Real Sociedad boss Imanol Alguacil has got work to do ahead of this crunch clash in Europe. His side are on a three-game losing streak in all competitions, and they are in need of a victory to ensure they avoid a premature exit from the Europa League.

Their 3-0 defeat at Reale Arena to Getafe last time out was a concern, but they have triumphed on their last two appearances here in this competition. PAOK will come into this clash feeling confident with three wins on the spin in the EL, but they have lost two of their away trips to date.

Those defeats came against Galatasaray and Manchester United. Real Sociedad should feel like they can beat the Greek outfit on home soil, especially after they dispatched Dutch giants Ajax with relative ease.

I think it will be a tough game for the hosts because of the momentum that PAOK have, but they should have enough quality to edge this contest to complete their task. Adding both teams to score onto the home win feels sensible because PAOK have blanked just twice in this competition, while BTTS has struck in five of Erreala's seven appearances thus far.

Mikel Oyarzabal anytime goalscorer @ 7/5

The home side do have a player who can thrive under pressure and who has first-class experience in delivering in a high-stakes match. Forward Oyarzabal will perhaps feel that he should have more goals for this season, having managed six across La Liga and the Europa League.

His two in Europe did come in the latest encounter at Reale Arena, though, in the 3-0 victory over Dynamo Kyiv. This will have given the Euro 2024 hero a lift, and I think this could set him up nicely to play a leading role again when PAOK come to town.

I think 7/5 is an enticing price for him to get on the scoresheet in Thursday's match.

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