Real Sociedad vs Red Bull Salzburg Prediction 29.11.2023

• Competition: UEFA Champions League - Group D
• Date: Wednesday, 29th, November 2023
• Kickoff: 20:00 UK / 21.00 CET
• Venue: Reale Arena (San Sebastian)

Already securing passage to the Round of 16, Real Sociedad is poised to defend their lead in Group D as they gear up to host the Austrian powerhouse Salzburg at the Reale Arena on Wednesday in the penultimate match of this Champions League stage.

Realistically, even the most fervent supporters of Real Sociedad couldn't have envisioned that their favorite team would secure a ticket to the knockout stage of the European top competition after just four rounds. After sharing the points in a 1-1 draw with last season's UCL finalist Inter on the opening day, the club from San Sebastian, much to everyone's surprise, earned a max nine points from the next three European matches, including double victories over Benfica (1-0 away / 3-1 at home). With two remaining fixtures in this phase, Imanol Alguacil's men step into matchday five at the forefront, thanks to a superior goal difference over the Milanese outfit, and will strive to maintain it with another three points in mid-week.

The Basque club will face Salzburg, a team that, although has lost all hope of advancing to the round of 16 in the most prestigious club competition, still nurtures ambitions for European spring. Indeed, the team led by Gerhard Struber enters the penultimate round of the Champions League group stage occupying a Europa League spot (3rd position) after claiming three points from the first four matches. Those solitary three points for Die Roten Bullen came in the opening match when they dismantled Benfica in Lisbon with a convincing 2-0 scoreline. If they secure at least a point at the Reale Arena, provided the Portuguese giant leaves empty-handed against Inter, the Austrian side would automatically secure a spot in the elimination phase of the UEFA's second-tier competition.

Real Sociedad vs Salzburg Betting Tips: Sociedad to Win

During their first encounter in November, Real Sociedad provided a footballing lesson to their Austrian counterparts, demolishing them within the opening 30 minutes courtesy of goals from Oyarzabal in the 7th minute and Brais Mendez twenty minutes later, securing a convincing 2-0 victory. Even now, we don't believe there will be drastic changes, especially with strong support from the stands motivating the Basque club to maintain their leadership in Group D until the final day of the group stage. Furthermore, Imanol Alguacil's men enter the penultimate round of the group stage with high motivation, having submerged Sevilla 2-1 over the weekend, continuing their superb form at Reale Arena with five wins in their last six home matches. What further enhances the prospects of victory for the Spanish outfit is the unconvincing away performances of their counterparts, as Salzburg has claimed only one triumph in their last five visits across all competitions, narrowly prevailing 2-0 against the second-to-last Austrian Bundesliga side Tirol.

With a young and inexperienced team whose average age is 22, we can hardly expect that Salzburg will be able to match Sociedad, who will eagerly try to enter the crucial duel with Inter as the leader of the group. Having asserted themselves as a force to be reckoned with in San Sebastian in recent weeks, we support Alguacil's troops to cruise to a comfortable triumph in front of their home fans.