The Matchday 8 encounter of the 2024/25 Europa League group stage 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, who is outside the top 24 clubs in the Europa League group stage. The team worsened their standing after a 1-3 away defeat to Lazio in the previous round. However, prior to that, the San Sebastián team secured two clean-sheet victories at home, defeating Ajax (2-0) and Dynamo Kyiv (3-0) in succession. The club is guaranteed a playoff spot if they win the final round.
Defender Aihen Muñoz will miss the match due to suspension, while defender Amari Traore is out with an injury.
- At least three goals have been scored in 5 of Real Sociedad's last 6 games in this tournament.
- Exactly two or three goals were scored in 6 of the Spaniards' last 7 Europa League matches.
- The San Sebastián team has not conceded in the second half in their last six home games in this European competition.
PAOK
The Greeks had a disappointing first half of the group stage, losing three times and drawing once. However, in the next three rounds, the team achieved three victories, all with clean sheets. PAOK won away against RFS (2-0), then handled Ferencváros (5-0) and Slavia Prague (2-0) at home. This allowed them to catch up with Real Sociedad in points and surpass the Spaniards due to a better goal difference. Razvan Lucescu's side will also advance to the playoffs if they win in Spain.
Defender Dejan Lovren will miss the match due to injury, and forward Thomas Murg is out with illness. The participation of defender Omar Colley and forward Andrija Živković is questionable.
- At least one team failed to score in 8 of PAOK's last 10 games in this tournament.
- In their last 12 away Europa League matches, the Greeks have drawn only once (3 wins and 8 losses).
- In 8 of the club's last 10 away games in this European competition, one team 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 Ozdoev, Stefan Schwab – Kiril Despodov, Taison, Giannis Konstantelias – Fyodor Chalov.
Each team's starting lineup from their last match in this tournament is listed.
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 will likely allow both clubs to advance to the playoffs. However, while the Greeks might be content with such a result, the Spaniards are unlikely to leave it to tiebreakers in case of equal points. Playing at home, Real Sociedad will aim to end a three-match losing streak in La Liga and the Europa League to regain confidence. Notably, the San Sebastián side has not lost three consecutive official matches since December 2020.
The Greeks have struggled on the road in this tournament. In their last 14 away Europa League matches, PAOK has secured only three victories, which came against low-ranked clubs – BATE, Shamrock Rovers, and RFS (3 draws and 8 losses). It is worth noting that before their win over the Latvians, PAOK lost by a two-goal margin to Manchester United and Galatasaray. I am confident that the Spaniards are no weaker than the last two teams on this list, so my prediction is: Real Sociedad to win
