Dutch giants Ajax will travel to the Basque region of Spain for Thursday's Europa League clash against Real Sociedad.
The hosts head into matchday five in 25th position in the league phase, while the visitors are sitting pretty in second position.
Match preview
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Real Sociedad are just outside the qualification places after winning one, drawing one and losing two of their four Europa League matches this season.
La Real kicked off their European campaign with a draw against Nice and a defeat to Anderlecht, before they recorded a much-needed victory over Maccabi Tel Aviv on matchday three.
Unfortunately for Real Sociedad, they failed to build upon that result in their most recent European outing against Viktoria Plzen, conceding in the 89th minute as they fell to a narrow 2-1 away loss.
Imanol Alguacil's side bounced back from that loss to defeat Barcelona and Jove Espanol in the league and Copa del Rey respectively, only for them to be stopped in their tracks by a 1-0 loss in Sunday's Basque derby against Athletic Bilbao, leaving them in an underwhelming 10th position in La Liga.
Real Sociedad will look to return to winning ways in their upcoming Europa League clash, but they have found it difficult to consistently pick up home wins this season, having won just two of their eight competitive matches at the Reale Arena (D1, L5).
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After experiencing a difficult 2023-24 campaign, Ajax are enjoying better fortunes under the watch of Italian coach Francesco Farioli.
The former Nice boss has seen his side put together a 16-game unbeaten run in all competitions since they suffered their most recent defeat against NAC Breda on August 18.
Four of those 16 games have taken place in the Europa League main draw, with Farioli's side taking 10 points from their four matches to leave them three points clear of ninth place in the battle to secure automatic qualification for the last 16.
Ajax took four points from their opening two matches of the league phase, before they eased to 3-0 and 5-0 victories over Qarabag and Maccabi Tel Aviv respectively.
Having racked up 13 goals across their first four matchdays, Ajax will travel to Spain as the highest scorers in the league phase, and they will hope that firepower can guide them to a ninth victory in 10 competitive matches.
Team News
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Real Sociedad are unable to call upon forward Orri Oskarsson, who picked up a calf injury in Iceland's UEFA Nations League defeat to Wales earlier this month.
Defender Hamari Traore is a long-term absentee, while Arsen Zakharyan continues to work on his recovery from an ankle injury.
Alguacil could be tempted to make a few changes to freshen up his side, with Aihen Munoz, Brais Mendez and Sheraldo Becker among those who could be considered for starting places.
Meanwhile, Ajax forward Mika Godts will miss Thursday's away trip after he sustained a hamstring injury against Twente earlier this month.
Godts is joined on the sidelines by Gaston Avila and Sivert Mannsverk, while Kenneth Taylor will serve a one-match ban for an accumulation of yellow cards.
Midfielder Davy Klaasen will drop out of the starting lineup, having been left out of Ajax's squad for the league phase.
Real Sociedad possible starting lineup:
Remiro; Aramburu, Zubeldia, Aguerd, Munoz; Mendez, Sucic, Zubimendi, Gomez, Becker; Oyarzabal
Ajax possible starting lineup:
Pasveer; Rensch, Sutalo, Baas, Hato; Fitz-Jim, Henderson, Taylor; Akpom, Berghuis, Weghorst
We say: Real Sociedad 1-1 Ajax
Real Sociedad will be determined to claim their second European win of the season, but we think that the hosts may have to be content with a share of the spoils when they face an Ajax side that are unbeaten in 16 matches in all competitions.
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