Monaco vs Real Sociedad

Monaco and Real Sociedad are set to face off against each other in a high-stake UEFA Europa League Group B encounter at the Stade Louis II.

Having alternated between winning and drawing across their opening four group stage matches (W2, D2), Monaco have their qualification destiny firmly in their hands. Following a scoreless home draw with PSV Eindhoven last time out, Monaco can afford another stalemate here, given it would keep them in the driving seat with a winnable final matchday fixture against Sturm Graz coming up next. However, ‘Les Monégasques’ head into proceedings in the midst of a rough patch, having failed to win any of their last four outings in all competitions (D3, L1). Niko Kovac’s side at least held reigning Ligue 1 holders Lille to a 2-2 home draw over the weekend, halting a three-game goal drought. Connoisseurs of action-packed football may want to look elsewhere in search of goals, considering that eight of Monaco’s last ten Europa League games have featured under 2.5 goals.

Topically, 14 of Real Sociedad’s last 17 competitive matches have failed to produce 3+ goals, including an uneventful scoreless home draw with Valencia at the weekend. Like their hosts, the Basque visitors have yet to lose a Europa League game this term, though three draws from four Group B fixtures (W1) back their growing reputation as ‘stalemate kings.’ Despite their tasty-looking second place in the La Liga standings, Imanol Alguacil’s men have had to earn their Europa League points by fighting tooth and nail, clawing back to ensure three draws when conceding the opening goal. Hard to beat on foreign turf, Sociedad have suffered only one defeat in their last nine Europa League matches away from home (W4, D4). Adding to their confidence, the Spaniards have won their previous two competitive road trips by the same 2-0 scoreline.