Bournemouth is set to play its first-ever European match as they travel away from home to face Real Sociedad in their opening Europa League fixture on Thursday.
Real Sociedad vs Bournemouth – Match preview and team news
- Date: Thursday, 17th September.
- Kick-off: 8pm BST.
- Venue: Estadio Municipal de Aneota.
Real Sociedad team news
Real Sociedad enters their upcoming fixture facing significant defensive challenges due to key player absences.
Right-back Jon Aramburu is unavailable as he serves a suspension following a red card received in a prior European match.
The defensive line is further depleted by the long-term absence of Álvaro Odriozola, who remains sidelined with a serious cruciate ligament injury.
Additionally, Igor Zubeldia has been ruled out of action due to right hamstring discomfort.
With limited senior options available at the back, head coach Pellegrino Matarazzo is expected to hand a starting role to summer signing Héctor Fort at right-back.
Despite these notable defensive setbacks, the Basque side maintains strong offensive continuity, with star attacker Mikel Oyarzabal fully fit and ready to lead the frontline in search of a vital European victory
Bournemouth team news
Bournemouth travels to this fixture managing multiple fitness concerns across their squad. The Cherries will be without young forward Eli Junior Kroupi, who is nursing a foot injury and has subsequently been replaced in the official European squad by winger Ben Gannon-Doak.
Further structural problems persist as full-back Julián Araujo is sidelined with a thigh injury, while Amine Adli is out with a calf problem.
Veljko Milosavljević has progressed to light training on grass following a quad injury but remains unready for competitive selection.
Despite these setbacks, head coach Marco Rose still possesses ample depth in his attacking departments.
Bournemouth is anticipated to line up with the offensive trio consisting of Rayan, Justin Kluivert, and the in-form Marcus Tavernier, all deployed just behind Evanilson to spearhead the frontline.
Form
Real Sociedad
Real Sociedad enters their European campaign seeking consistency after a patchy start in La Liga. Pellegrino Matarazzo’s side has recorded two wins, one draw, and three defeats from their opening domestic fixtures. Their defensive struggles were laid bare in their most recent outing, a disappointing 3-0 home defeat against Atlético Madrid. Having failed to keep a clean sheet in 17 consecutive competitive matches, finding defensive stability remains their primary challenge.
Bournemouth
Bournemouth makes history with their maiden major European fixture, backed by a highly resilient start under head coach Marco Rose. The Cherries are currently unbeaten in three consecutive Premier League games, showing strong character in back-to-back 2-2 draws against Newcastle United and Brentford. While a first league victory under Rose still eludes them following an initial 2-1 defeat to Manchester City, their attacking fluidity provides major confidence heading to Spain.
Predicted lineups
Real Sociedad: Marrero; Fort, Sarr, Pacheco, Gomez; Ochieng, Herrera, Soler, Guedes; Oyarzabal, Sucic
Bournemouth: Petrovic; Smith, Hill, Silva, Truffert; Adams, Scott; Rayan, Kluivert, Tavernier; Evanilson
How to watch Real Sociedad vs Bournemouth?
You can watch the Real Sociedad vs AFC Bournemouth match live in the UK tonight on TNT Sports 2.
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