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United leads the Champions League group A with 7 points, Sociedad is last in the standings with 0 points. The hosts will look to get going against the Devils today in a do or die game for them. It was 1-0 for Manchester two weeks ago when these two met, thanks to Inigo`s early own goal.
Real Sociedad were a surprising presence to this year`s Champions League group stage and the spaniards were hoping to make an impact. However, they failed to do so and they find themselves last in the standings with no points to their name. Their european results are not different from their domestic ones, where Sociedad was recently struggling in the bottom half of the table. However, the basque side has clearly improved in recent weeks, gaining 3 wins and 1 draw from their last 4 La Liga matches and losing honorably to United 0-1 in the last Champions league game. Sociedad lost some players in the summer and are clearly weaker than in last season`s 4th place campaign, but their recent results are in indicator they started to recover and play some good football again.
United was a huge disappointment this season, but only because expectations were unreasonably high. After Ferguson`s departure it was obvious that the Devils will need some time to adjust. On 8th place in the league, United is in great form in the recent weeks, a sign that the team is getting used to life under David Moyes. Manchester has 4 consecutive wins and is undefeated in the last 7 games in all competitions, so it`s safe to say that the criticism they are facing is unjust. They are also first in the Champions League group with 7 points. The devils have been particularly impressive up front, with Rooney finding his form, but the defense has been shaky. United conceded in 8 out of the last 11 games.
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Team news and lineups
Injuries were one of the reasons for Sociedad`s early struggles this season, and the basque side again misses a couple of players. Estrada, Granero, Ifran, Vela and Bergara are out for today. United will field the best squad available in an attempt to lock their qualification spot, but Moyes has a lot of question marks over the fitness of some players. Evra, Carrick, Cleverley, Evans, Wellbeck and Rafael are all doubtful. Fletcher is out.
Sociedad: Bravo – C. Martinez, Mikel, Inigo, De la Bella – Gonzalez, Zurutuza, X. Prieto – Castro, Seferovic, Griezmann
United: De Gea – Rafael, Jones, Smalling, Evra – Carrick, Fellaini – Valencia, Rooney, Januzaj – Van Persie
United is scoring at will but their defense is hesitant, and with possibly the whole regular backline missing for today (Rafael, Vidic, Ferdinand, Evra), the Devils will have a tough task containing Sociedad, especially since they will maybe be just a tad unfocused due to their good standing and the fact that they play Arsenal over the weekend. The spaniards can score, they proved it in the domestic league, they have some players in maximum form up front (like Griezzman) and they will be desperate to get their first Champions League win. Expect Sociedad to push forward when they have the chance and break down this unreliable United defense a couple of times. On the other hand, sheer quality, Rooney + Van Persie and recent form will surely help the visitors to create some chances and take 1-2 of them. All in all, this is set to be an entertaining game and we could well see an over 2,5 goals outcome, despite the odds slightly suggesting otherwise. My pick is Real Sociedad – Manchester United 2-2.
Pick: over 2,5 goals
Odds: 2.00 @ Pinnacle
Stake: 8
Possible profit: 8
Event date: 5 November
Editor Facts
- Rostick won 4 of his last 5 Champions League tips
