The Matchday 8 clash in the 2024/25 Europa League between Real Sociedad (Spain) and PAOK (Greece) will take place on January 30 at the Reale Arena in San Sebastián. Real Sociedad vs. PAOK: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Real Sociedad
The Spanish side is currently in 18th place with 10 points, just two points ahead of their nearest rival outside the top 24 clubs in the Europa League group stage. The team's standings worsened after a 1-3 away defeat to Lazio in the last round. However, before that, the San Sebastián side secured two clean-sheet victories at home, defeating Ajax (2-0) and Dynamo Kyiv (3-0) consecutively. The club is guaranteed to advance to the playoffs if they win the final round.
Defender Aihen Muñoz will miss the match due to suspension, and defender Amari Traoré is out with an injury.
- At least three goals have been scored in 5 of Real Sociedad's last 6 matches in this tournament.
- Exactly two or three goals have been scored in 6 of the Spanish team's last 7 Europa League matches.
- The San Sebastián side has not conceded in the second half in their last six home games in this European competition.
PAOK
The Greek team had a poor start in the group stage, losing three times and drawing once. However, they secured three consecutive victories in the following three rounds, all with clean sheets. Away, PAOK defeated RFS (2-0), and then at home, they overcame Ferencváros (5-0) and Slavia Prague (2-0). This allowed them to catch up with Real Sociedad in points and surpass the Spanish side due to a better goal difference. Razvan Lucescu's team will also advance to the playoffs if they win in Spain.
Defender Omar Colley and forward Andrija Živković will not play due to injuries.
- At least one team failed to score in 8 of PAOK's last 10 matches in this tournament.
- In their last 12 away Europa League matches, the Greeks have drawn just once (3 wins and 8 losses).
- In 8 of PAOK's last 10 away games in this European competition, one team has won the second half with a clean sheet.
Predicted lineups for Real Sociedad vs. PAOK
Real Sociedad (4-3-3): Alejandro Remiro – Aihen Muñoz, Jon Aramburu, Igor Zubeldia, Nayef Aguerd – Brais Méndez, Martín Zubimendi, Luka Sučić – Mikel Oyarzabal, Sheraldo Becker, Takefusa Kubo.
PAOK (4-2-3-1): Dominik Kotarski – Abdul Rahman Baba, Giannis Michailidis, Tomasz Kędziora, Jhonny – Magomed Ozdoyev, Stefan Schwab – Kiril Despodov, Tyson, Giannis Konstantelias – Fedor Chalov.
Each team's starting lineup is based on their previous match in this tournament.
Referee: John Beaton (Scotland)
Matches – 8 (International matches, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 53;
Average yellow cards per match – 6.6;
Red cards shown – 1;
Average fouls per match – 23;
Penalties – 50%.
Real Sociedad vs. PAOK: Match Prediction
A draw in the upcoming match would likely allow both clubs to advance to the playoffs. However, while such a result might suit the Greeks, the Spanish side is unlikely to rely on tiebreakers if points are equal. Real Sociedad plays at home and needs to end their three-match losing streak in La Liga and the Europa League to regain confidence. Notably, Real Sociedad has not lost three consecutive official matches since December 2020.
The Greeks have struggled away from home in this tournament. In their last 14 away Europa League matches, PAOK has only managed three victories, which came against lower-ranked clubs – BATE, Shamrock Rovers, and RFS (3 draws and 8 losses). It's worth noting that before their win over the Latvians, the Greeks lost by two goals to both Manchester United and Galatasaray. I'm confident that the Spanish team is not weaker than the last two teams on this list, so my prediction is Real Sociedad to Win.
