Preview: Red Bull Salzburg vs. Real Sociedad - prediction, team news, lineups
:Headline: Preview: Red Bull Salzburg vs. Real Sociedad - prediction, team news, lineups:
Sports Mole previews Tuesday's Champions League clash between Red Bull Salzburg and Real Sociedad, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
The home side stunned Portuguese champions Benfica in the opening matchday, while the Spanish club secured a creditable point against Inter Milan.
Match preview
Salzburg were not given a prayer when they travelled to Benfica looking to be the first side since Bayern Munich in 2020 to inflict a group-stage defeat on the Portuguese side.
However, the Austrian side ended Benfica's eight-game undefeated run in a 2-0 success at Estadio Da Luz, with the goals coming from Roko Simic and Oscar Gloukh after Karim Konate failed to convert a third-minute penalty.
Gerhard Struber's men ended their seven-game winless away run in the competition with that success in Lisbon, thus giving the much-needed motivation to approach Tuesday's encounter with Sociedad.
A 1-0 home loss to LASK Linz followed Salzburg's victory at Benfica, but the Red Bulls have secured consecutive 4-0 triumphs over Austria Salzburg in the cup and Austria Lustenau in the league since that shock defeat on their turf.
Whether they secure passage to the first knockout round remains to be seen, but the Red Bulls have undoubtedly started the group stage positively.
Sociedad would be level with Salzburg in Group D but for Inter's late equaliser at Anoeta in matchday one.
Brais Mendez put the La Liga side 1-0 up after four minutes on their return to Europe's top club competition, a lead they held until Lautaro Martinez pegged them back.
It was not a perfect night for Sociedad, who were chasing maximum points after a 10-year absence from the competition.
Imanol Alguacil's men will fancy their chances against a side outside the continent's top-five leagues but should be wary of the Austrian side's strength at home — Salzburg have lost only one of the last eight European games in their backyard.
La Real go into Tuesday's game on the back of the weekend's 3-0 thrashing of Athletic Club in the Basque derby.
Bryan Okoh is reportedly nearing a return to action after a hamstring injury, but this week's game could come too soon for the defender.
Kieran Tierney was replaced after 25 minutes in the Basque derby, and the Scotland international is expected to miss Tuesday's clash due to a troubled hamstring; Martín Merquelanz is unlikely to return to action until late October.
Arsen Zakharyan is doubtful for the game, and the virus contracted means his participation on Tuesday is touch and go.
Red Bull Salzburg possible starting lineup: Schlager; Dedic, Baidoo, Pavlovic, Terzic; Bidstrup, Gourna-Douath, Gloukh, Kjaergaard; Simic, Konate
Real Sociedad possible starting lineup: Remiro; Traore, Elustondo, Pacheco, Munoz; Cho, Gonzalez, Turrientes, Merino; Fernandez, Oyarzabal
We say: Red Bull Salzburg 1-1 Real Sociedad
Tuesday's meeting could see both Salzburg and Sociedad share the spoils, with a low-scoring tie on the cards.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 2.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Under 2.5:data
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