Real Sociedad and Lyon separated by two points in Europa League table

Two points between them

Lyon are 12th in the 36-team UEFA Europa League table with six points after three matches, while Real Sociedad are 14th on four. The gap is just two points, making this fourth-round meeting a chance for the hosts to move ahead of Lyon or for Lyon to strengthen their narrow advantage.

Their goal differences tell different stories: Lyon are on -1, while Real Sociedad have a +5 mark despite sitting lower. The table is tight around them, and a result in San Sebastian could shift the balance between the two sides.

Contrasting competition runs

In this competition, Real Sociedad have taken one win, one draw and one defeat across three matches, scoring eight goals and conceding three. Their results have improved in sequence, and they come into this fixture after a win. At home in the Europa League, however, they have lost their only match, scoring once and conceding twice.

Lyon have two wins and a defeat from their three matches, with five goals scored and six conceded. Their latest European outing ended in defeat. Away from home in this competition, they have split two matches between a win and a loss, scoring twice and conceding four.

A brief but clear head-to-head

The teams have met twice, both in the 2013 Champions League qualifying rounds, and Real Sociedad won both encounters. The most recent was a 2-0 home victory for the Spanish side. Each meeting finished with two goals or fewer, although those results came more than a decade ago.

Absences to manage

Real Sociedad are without L. Beitia and A. Zakharyan through ankle injuries, while A. Odriozola is sidelined with a knee injury. Lyon have five absentees: S. Kango (concussion), T. Morton (groin), L. Openda (leg), and M. Ouedraogo and P. Sulc (knee injuries).

The attacking numbers

Real Sociedad’s eight goals in three Europa League matches give them the stronger scoring return, while Lyon have conceded six in the same span. Lyon, though, have been more productive in the standings, taking two more points from their opening three games. With both sides carrying defensive vulnerabilities in the competition, the hosts’ scoring output could prove important.

Our prediction

Real Sociedad’s stronger goal difference and greater scoring return point to a narrow home edge, despite Lyon’s two-point advantage in the table. PreviaXI’s model also favours the hosts, with the scoreline reflecting a close contest in which Lyon can find a goal.

Real Sociedad 2-1 Lyon