Manchester United vs. Real Sociedad Odds, Preview

United Carrying Momentum Into Thursday

Manchester United were the laughingstocks of the Premier League just a few weekends ago. They were sitting in last place after two matches and lost 4-0 to Brentford. Four matches and four wins later, the Red Devils are looking formidable again. They’ll put their win streak on the line in their Europa League opener vs. Real Sociedad on Thursday. We’ll run through the Manchester United vs. Real Sociedad odds and preview the most enticing game of the Matchday.

Europa League – Manchester United vs. Real Sociedad Game Info:

• • Location: Old Trafford, Manchester, England, U.K.
  • Date & Time: Thursday, September 8, 3:00 P.M. EST
  • TV: Paramount+, fuboTV, TUDN

Head-to-Head

Manchester United have played Real Sociedad four times in their history. All of the meetings have been in the last ten years. Most recently, Manchester United defeated Real Sociedad 4-0 in the 2020-21 Europa League round of 32, on aggregate. Manchester United are unbeaten all-time vs. Real Sociedad, with two wins and two draws. Both draws were scoreless and three of the four meetings have finished with one goal or fewer.

Manchester United on Four-Game Win Streak

• Last Match: 3-1 W vs. Arsenal
• Injuries and Suspensions: D Aaron Wan-Bissaka (Day-to-Day), F Anthony Martial (Day-to-Day)

With a 3-1 win, Manchester United ended Arsenal’s perfect start to the season last Sunday. Brazilian winger Antony scored a debut goal as Marcus Rashford added a brace. Erik Ten Hag’s Red Devils have now moved from 20th to 5th in the Premier League in the span of just four weeks.

They’re entering the Europa League with momentum on their side and the new look lineup has worked wonders. Since Ten Hag dropped center back and captain Harry Maguire, Man U have conceded just two goals in four games. Manchester United is one of the most popular teams for Europa League betting this season. They’re priced at +800 odds to win the competition, which is second to only Arsenal.

The Manchester United vs. Real Sociedad odds gives United a decent shot of scoring multiple goals. Manchester United over 1½ goals shows -145 odds for this match. All of the players who started vs. Arsenal should also be available come Thursday. It’s been a busy fixture period so bettors should expect some tinkering with the lineup. Perhaps Casemiro will make his first start in a Manchester United jersey.

Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho struggled under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick last season. However, they’ve looked rejuvenated under Erik ten Hag. The pair has combined for five goals so far and are wreaking havoc on defenses.

Real Sociedad Starting Life Without Isak

• Last Match: 1-1 D vs. Atletico Madrid
• Injuries and Suspensions: F Mikel Oyarzabal (Out), D Robin Le Normand (Out)

Alexander Isak became Real Sociedad’s record departure before the transfer deadline. The Swedish striker left for Newcastle for a sum of $77 million and has already shown his quality there. Without the big Swede, Sociedad may go through some growing pains in attack before figuring out their best lineup. Imanol Alguacil started 18-year-old Mohammed Ali Cho and Alexander Sorloth in the recent 1-1 draw vs. Atletico Madrid.

Substitute forward Umar Sadiq scored the equalizer, which was just Sociedad’s fourth goal of the season. The Txuri-Urdin struggled to score last season as well, especially after Mikel Oyarzabal’s ACL injury. Oyarzabal is still recovering and he’ll be sorely missed in the Europa League group stage.

Still, Real Sociedad finished in second place in Group B in the 2021-22 Europa League standings. RB Leipzig knocked out Sociedad in the first knockout round, though. The 2022-23 season is Real Sociedad’s third consecutive season in the Europa League group stage. They’ll be confident of making it out of a group that includes Manchester United, Sheriff, and Omonia.

Even though they now lack a prolific striker, Real Sociedad is expected to score on Thursday. Sociedad over ½ is priced at -170 odds but going up against Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez certainly won’t be easy.

Odds & Preview

Playing away at Old Trafford is never easy and the Manchester United vs. Real Sociedad odds confirm that. Real Sociedad team are +435 underdogs for Thursday’s match but they are 2-0 away from home this season. Manchester United are -165 favorites to extend their winning streak to five games and grab all three points. This season, Man U have scored 6 goals in three matches at home and have scored in their last seven matches at Old Trafford.

Note that Real Sociedad has never scored vs. Manchester United in four previous matches. They have, however, drawn twice with Manchester United, and a draw sits at +305 odds. A draw would be an excellent result for Real Sociedad, who only lost once in four away Europa League matches last season.

Real Sociedad (+1) are favored to cover the spread, at -135 odds. However, they are missing center-back Robin Le Normand in this match. Le Normand started in both of Real Sociedad’s shutouts so far this season and will be missed.

If Erik ten Hag rotates his lineups and starts Cristiano Ronaldo, Sociedad could be in for a difficult evening defensively. They conceded four goals to a star-studded Barcelona just a few weeks back and United poses similar but not altogether equal threats. Bettors are expecting goals in this Europa League match of the week, with over 2½ goals priced at -135 odds.