RB Leipzig Too Much for Real Sociedad

RB Leipzig vs Real Sociedad Betting Preview

• • Game: RB Leipzig vs Real Sociedad
  • Location: Red Bull Arena, Leipzig, Germany
  • Date/Time: Thursday, 3 p.m. ET

Head to Head

RB Leipzig, who have only spent a few seasons in the German top-flight league, are meeting Real Sociedad for the first time.

RB Leipzig Revival

When Jesse Marsch was sacked in December, RB Leipzig was sitting in 11th place in the Bundesliga. Under Domenico Tedesco, they’re back in the Champions League places as a 3-1 win over Koln last weekend moved them up to fourth.

One of the better picks to bet online in recent weeks, Leipzig have markedly improved on defense and that’s been the catalyst for four wins in their last five league matches. That doesn’t mean the offense isn’t clicking, though. Christopher Nkunku has scored in four of his last six appearances and a fully fit Dani Olmo has been in good form as of late.

This is one of the most talented teams left in the Europa League and Leipzig were unlucky to have drawn PSG and Manchester City in their Champions League group in the fall. Leipzig finished third in the group but did manage a win over Manchester City in the Group Stage finale.

They scored 15 goals in six UCL matches, an impressive feat especially considering the quality defenses they were facing. Nkunku, rumored to be wanted by Manchester United, scored a hat trick in the UCL Group Stage and had seven goals in all. He forms an explosive attacking trio along with Olmo and Andre Silva that should give Sociedad problems.

RB Leipzig are mostly healthy, with just Marcel Halstenberg set to miss this match.

Goals a Rarity in Sociedad’s Recent Matches

Real Sociedad took care of business on Sunday and defeated Granada 2-0 in San Sebastian. Mikel Oyarzabal scored on a first-half penalty and on-loan PSG man Rafinha doubled the lead in the second half.

The shutout marked a fourth consecutive in La Liga play and the Txuri-Urdin are just one point outside of the top four. Sociedad have one of the best defenses in La Liga and were one of the best early season soccer picks. Since then, things have been up and down for Imanol Alguacil’s team, though.

They perhaps rely too much on Oyarzabal for scoring and have been shut out in three of their last four matches in all competitions. Sociedad have also scored the sixth-fewest goals in the Spanish top flight, but their defense has kept them competitive.

Sociedad will have trouble matching the attacking prowess of RB Leipzig so they’ll have to be strong in possession here. That’ll be a little tougher as they’re missing starting midfielder Martin Zubimendi due to suspension.

Prediction

This matchup favors RB Leipzig, who are comfortable letting opponents have the ball and picking their spots. Real Sociedad have come up against some good offenses in La Liga but aside from the Madrid clubs, Leipzig are more dangerous in attacking areas than Sociedad’s opponents.

Along with their usual trio, Leipzig also have Yussuf Poulsen, Dominik Szoboszlai and Emil Forsberg to cause problems. I don’t see Sociedad keeping a clean sheet in this one and just look to the 4-0 drubbing the Txuri-Urdin took at Real Betis’s hands in the Copa del Rey to see what can happen when they face a great offense.

Leipzig should go on and win this game and I think -120 sportsbook odds are more than fair here. Take them to win on Thursday.

Pick: RB Leipzig (-120)