According to analysts, the Spanish club is the favorite of the match
On November 8, Benfica will play Real Sociedad in the fourth round of the Champions League group stage. Bookmaker experts consider the Spanish club to be the favorite of the match, which will be held in San Sebastian.
Chances of Real Sociedad for victory are estimated as 1×1.8. Benfica win probability – 1×4.85. The chance that the match between Real Sociedad and Benfica will end in a draw is 1×3.75.
Benfica lost all three matches in three opening rounds. Real Sociedad has never lost in the Champions League. But even with such results, Benfica did not lose its chances of leaving the group, and Real Sociedad, which had seven points after three matches, did not even guarantee itself access to the Europa League.
Real Sociedad
Champions League
08.11.2023
19:45
Benfica
The teams approach the match with different moods. Real Sociedad lost to Barcelona at the weekend, dropping out of the European competition zone. Benfica, after losing to Real Sociedad in the first round of the group stage of the Champions League, played three matches, and in the last two they achieved shutout victories over Arouca in the League Cup and Chaves in the championship.
Another good news for Benfica is the return to action of Angel Di Maria. On the other hand, Neres, Bach, Kekcu and Bernat are unlikely to help the Eagles today. Real Sociedad’s personnel situation is no better: the team’s newcomers Silva and Tierney are in the hospital, and Pacheco was injured in the match with Barcelona.
Considering the tournament situation in the group, Benfica only needs a victory today. Even a draw could mean the Eagles’ elimination from European competition before the end of the group stage. But it will be difficult to crack the Basque defense: in three Champions League matches, Real Sociedad conceded only one goal. But it is much more important for Benfica to keep a clean sheet in defense, which is not reliable, despite the goalkeeping exploits of Anatoly Trubin. It’s no surprise that the chance that “Real Sociedad will not score” bookmakers estimate as 1×4.9. And the chance that match “both teams will score” as 1×1.96.
Source: Sportarena
I’m Scott Moore, a professional writer and journalist based in the US. I’ve been writing for various publications for over 8 years now, and have been working as an author at athletistic for the past five years. My work has been featured by some of the leading sports websites and magazines across Europe.
