Preview: Maccabi Tel Aviv vs Real Sociedad – prediction, team news, lineups

Real company will try to achieve their first victory Europa League Main attraction if face Maccabi Tel Aviv on Thursday in Belgrade.

Meanwhile, Maccabi is still waiting to be added to the board after losing the first two games of the league phase.

Game preview

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After being eliminated from Champions League qualifying, Maccabi made light work of the two Europa League qualifiers, defeating Panevezys 5-1 on aggregate before edging TSC 8-1 in both games.

Unfortunately for Maccabi, they had a much harder time in the first two games of the main round as they were unable to take anything from the first two games against Braga and Midtjylland.

They conceded two late goals and lost 2-1 to Braga on matchday one before conceding twice in their final European game against the Danish champions, ensuring they are one of six teams yet to pick up a point League phase.

The Israeli champions managed to build some momentum after the loss to Midtjylland after picking up consecutive wins over Maccabi Netanya and Maccabi Haifa to move five points clear at the top of their domestic league.

Having won six of their seven league games this season (D1), Zarko Lazetic will be desperate to see his team carry their domestic form into European competition.

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Real Sociedad is back competing in the Europa League after experiencing the heights of Champions League football last season.

La Real successfully managed to progress through the group stage before their Champions League journey ended with a round of 16 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.

Real Sociedad have high hopes of reaching the knockout stages of the Europa League, although their bid to progress from the league stage got off to a rocky start as they picked up just one point from their first two games of the main round.

The Basque side drew 1-1 in their opening game against Nice before giving up a narrow lead and losing 2-1 at home to Anderlecht. This extended their winning streak in the Europa League to five games.

In fact, Real Sociedad struggled to find their best form in the first few months of the season, having recorded three wins, four draws and five defeats in all competitions.

However, after a narrow 1-0 win in Saturday's away game against Girona, they have a chance of making it back-to-back wins Mikel OyarzabalThe first goal of the season and a determined defense that kept a clean sheet for the third time in five away games.

Maccabi Tel Aviv Europa League Form:

Form of Maccabi Tel Aviv (all competitions):

Real Sociedad Europa League form:

Real Sociedad form (all competitions):

Team news

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Maccabi still has to make do without the services of Sagiv Jehezkel And Roy Revivowhile Dor Turgeman is questionable after missing the last four games due to injury.

Tyrese Asante And Gabi Kanichowsky are both available for selection after missing the defeat against Midtjylland due to suspension.

Elad Madmon has scored in Maccabi's last two league games and will look to carry his recent domestic form onto the European stage when he takes on Real Sociedad in the front row.

As for the visitors, they cannot use a defender Hamari Traore and midfielder Pablo Marin due to knee or thigh injuries.

Arsen Zakharyan has returned to training following an ankle injury, but it remains to be seen whether he will be fit for his first matchday appearance of the season.

Imanol Alguacil will likely make changes for Thursday's contest Alvaro Odriozola, Jon Pacheco, Javi Lopez, Benat Turrientes And Take Kubo all in the race for the starting eleven against Maccabi

Maccabi Tel Aviv's possible starting lineup:
Mishpati; Asante, Stojic, Shlomo, Nachmias; Peretz, Kanichowsky, Sissokho; Davida, Addo, Madmon,

Possible Real Sociedad starting lineup:
Remiro; Odriozola; Zubeldia, Pacheco, Lopez; Mendez, Zubimendi, Turrientes Barrenetxea; Kubo, Oyarzabal

We say: Maccabi Tel Aviv 1:1 Real Sociedad

With the game taking place in Serbia, the competition could feel more like a neutral game than a Maccabi home game.

While that could work in Real Sociedad's favor, the visitors have failed to secure consecutive wins this season and we believe the inconsistency could continue with a draw in Thursday's competition.

For data analysis of the most likely outcomes, scores and more for this game, please click here.

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