Real Sociedad Vs Napoli
Real Sociedad Vs Napoli Thursday 29th October 2020 – 20:00 Kick-Off
UEFA Europa League Group F
Pick: Real Sociedad Draw No Bet
Odds: Evens
Bookmaker: BetVictor
(All betting odds correct at time of writing: 27th October 2020)
Preview: It is debatable that the standout fixture from Thursday’s Europa League takes place in Group F. Real Sociedad and Napoli, currently first and second in Spain and Italy respectively, meet for the very first time at Anoeta stadium with the hosts buoyed by their opening victory and the visitors reeling from a surprise loss.
UEFA Europa League Betting at Bet365
Table of Contents
Real Sociedad Preview – La Real seeking their fifth-straight victory?
The club from the Basque region, in northern Spain, have made a scintillating start to 2020-21. Four wins and just one defeat accrued from six games domestically has them perched atop Spain’s La Liga, scoring at least four more (14 in total) than any other side whilst allowing the second-lowest number of goals conceded (3). Put simply, La Real are the best performing side in the country at this particular juncture.
Ominously, Imanol Alguacil’s charges are showing no sign of letting up. A 4-1 La Liga victory here at Anoeta, San Sebastian, over newly-promoted Huesca last Saturday not only made it four consecutive victories in all competitions but the margin, by exactly three goals, means all but one of their five triumphs across fixtures in league and Europe this season have been largely plain sailing.
The sole exception occurring in Croatia on Matchday 1. Away to HNK Rijeka, Real Sociedad were superior throughout, converting their dominance with the ball (66% possession) in to 16 goal attempts. Only six found their designated target, however, and it wasn’t until the 93rd minute that one found the back of the net. But while victory was touch and go, ultimately the three points were warranted (xG: RIJ 0.71 – 2.02 SOC).
Napoli Preview – Partenopei need big display following AZ shocker?
It has been a similarly impressive showing early into the 2020-21 term from Gennaro Gattuso and his Napoli team. With victory away to newly-promoted Benevento on Sunday – a match more fondly remembered for both Insigne brothers, Lorenzo and Roberto, scoring for either side – the Naples outfit extended their excellent start to the Serie A season, claiming their fourth win in five such matches.
Unbeaten AC Milan are the only side keeping Napoli out of top spot in Italy. Such has been the positive inroads made so far by a team that endured a rocky 2019-20, finishing down in seventh-place but redeeming themselves with victory in the Coppa Italia final over Juventus. They would progress through to the last-16 in the Champions League meanwhile, consequently exiting at the hands of Barcelona.
Another Spanish side greets them on Thursday, and they will hope to fare better than in previous such meetings. Napoli’s overall record versus clubs from Spain reads four wins in sixteen meetings (W4 D5 L7), having prevailed only twice as visitors (W2 D4 L4). A poor record that simply has to improve here, with potential defeat further compounding the 1-0 reverse at home to AZ Alkmaar (xG: NAP 1.38 – 0.58 AZA) on Matchday 1.
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Real Sociedad Vs Napoli Betting Advice
The opening round of fixtures in Group F mirrored one another as both away sides on the night, AZ Alkmaar and Real Sociedad, opened their accounts with 1-0 victories over Napoli and HNK Rijeka respectively. That puts Real Sociedad in a commanding position ahead of welcoming Napoli to northern Spain. A contest pitting arguably the two strongest teams in the section against each other.
Real Sociedad Vs Napoli – Key Facts
- Sixth in Spain last term, Real Sociedad are currently riding high in first place after winning four of their first seven – including the last three – La Liga matches (W4 D2 L1).
- Seventh in Italy in 2019-20, Napoli find themselves up in second-place this season after registering four wins across their opening five Serie A games (W4 L1).
- A first ever meeting between the clubs sees Real Sociedad, 1-0 victors over Rijeka in Croatia on Matchday 1, take on a Napoli side beaten 1-0 at home by AZ Alkmaar.
I’m surprised Napoli are so short, at 6/4, with Real Sociedad available at 9/5 despite boasting home advantage and superior pre-match form. The Italian side ooze experience, qualifying from their Champions League group last season without losing a game. However, Sociedad are flying after four successive victories in all competitions – winning to nil and by three clear goals on three occasions – and worth chancing again.
Best Betting Odds – Real Sociedad Vs Napoli
Real Sociedad – 9/5 (BetVictor)
Draw – 23/10 (Betfair)
Napoli – 6/4 (Betway)
