Real Sociedad vs Lyon preview

August 27, 2013
By: Nemanja Lazarevic

Real Sociedad vs LyonReal Sociedad produced quite a coup by winning 2-0 at Stade Gerland, but French giants Lyon are not yet ready to give up on a place in the Champions League group stages.

It was the French club that eliminated La Real from Europe’s elite competition back in 2004, but the Spanish side made sure they get a proper revenge on their rivals in this year’s campaign.

Against all odds, Jagoba Arrasate’s side defeated Lyon 2-0 in the first leg of their Champions League play-off tie, and all that’s left now is to finish the job at their Anoeta.

That may appear to be an easy task, but the hosts are well aware they cannot afford to relax just yet, with weekend’s draw at Elche suggesting they are still not firing on all cylinders.

Real Sociedad have been pretty convincing at their Anoeta last term, while defeating Getafe in the only home match this season, which is probably why they have been made 2.00 (1/1) favourites at Betfred to beat Lyon one more time.

Jagoba Arrasate is expected to make several changes to the side that played out a 1-1 draw with Elche, seeing as how Xabi Prieto is likely to be recalled.

Defender Carlos Martinez has not recovered in time to face Lyon, but Antoine Griezmann and Haris Seferovic should play despite missing some training this week.

Mikel Gonzalez is some ten days away from making a return, whilst Diego Ifran, Jose Angel and Imanol Agirretxe remain sidelined.

Probable starting line-up (4-3-3): Bravo – Estrada, Cadamuro, I. Martinez, De La Bella – Prieto, Bergara, Zurutuza – Vela, Seferovic, Griezmann.

This season started really well for the French giants, with double win over Grasshoppers in the Champions League qualifiers followed by league triumphs over Nice and Sochaux.

The seven goals scored in the two league fixtures suggested les Gones are coping really well with the lack of attacking options, but the next two matches completely changed the course of the season.

Lyon were first beaten at home by Real Sociedad in the Champions League play-offs before also losing to Reims in Ligue 1.

As a result, les Gones are completely out of confidence ahead of the return leg in Spain, while odds of 11.00 (10/1) offered at Coral on Lyon to qualify suggest the visitors have a mountain to climb at Anoeta.

The good news is defender Samuel Umtiti returns from domestic suspension, but centre-back Milan Bisevac is banned after he was sent off in the first leg.

RemyVercoutre, Mouhamadou Dabo and Rachid Ghezzal are out injured, while Bafetimbi Gomis and Jimmy Briand are still not considered for starting places.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): A. Lopes – M. Lopes, Fofana, Umtiti, Bedimo – Grenier, Gonalons, Malbranque – Benzia, Lacazette, Gourcuff.

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