Real Sociedad vs Benfica Prediction: Tight game likely in Spain

Real Sociedad could be celebrating qualification for the knockout stage of the Champions League if they can win at home against Benfica on Wednesday and they will take confidence from the fact that their opponents are yet to gain a point in this year’s competition.

The Spanish outfit won 1-0 at the Estadio da Luz a fortnight ago, but their opponents will be keen to get off the mark and give themselves a chance of at least qualifying for the Europa League as the third-placed finishers in Group D.

Team news
Real Sociedad defender Hamari Traore is set to miss out with a muscle injury and Kieran Tierney, Andre Silva and Martin Merquelanz have been ruled out.

David Neres, Orkun Kokcu, Juan Bernat and Alexander Bah are all missing for Benfica.

Match Odds

Real Sociedad are 8/11 to claim their third win in the group, while Benfica are 4/1 to take three points.

Over 2.5 goals is an even-money chance, while both teams to score can be backed at 10/11.

A repeat of Real Sociedad’s 1-0 win from a fortnight ago can be supported at 11/2 and Mikel Oyarzabal is 9/2 favourite to score the game’s first goal.

Draw @ 13/5

A single goal settled the match when these two met in Lisbon a fortnight ago and Real Sociedad are on course to qualify for the last 16 of the Champions League.

However, they have been a difficult team to trust lately and Benfica could earn a draw to get off the mark in Group D.

Real Sociedad fell to a late goal against Barcelona at the weekend and that is becoming a theme as an injury-time strike stopped them winning at Rayo Vallecano, while they were also hit by a late penalty at Atletico Madrid.

In the Champions League, they were stung by an 87th-minute equaliser in a 1-1 draw with Inter and while Benfica have had their issues this season, they have been strong travellers in the Champions League.

The Portuguese side have suffered just two defeats in their last 15 away games in the competition stretching back to 2020, and have drawn at Liverpool, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain.

Benfica can earn a point here too and a 1-1 correct-score bet is also interesting at 6/1.

#PickYourPunt - Under 5.5 Real Sociedad corners, Brais Mendez to have three or more shots & Igor Zubeldia to be shown a card @ 6/1

Three elements appeal in a #PickYourPunt selection, the first of which is Under 5.5 Real Sociedad corners. They average just 4.42 in their La Liga home matches this season.

Add to that a booking for their defender Igor Zubeldia, who has been shown a yellow card in five of his last eight appearances, and for Brais Mendez to have three or more shots.

He has had more efforts than any Real Sociedad player this season and has had at least three shots in five of his last eight starts.

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