Preview: Real Sociedad vs. Monaco - prediction, team news, lineups

Monaco head into their Europa League fixture with Real Sociedad looking to build on starting their Group B campaign with maximum points.

While the Ligue 1 outfit got the better of Sturm Graz on matchday one, Sociedad were involved in an entertaining 2-2 draw with PSV Eindhoven.

Match preview

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At a time when the likes of Atletico Madrid and Barcelona are performing well below what is expected of them, it is Real Sociedad who have taken full advantage in La Liga.

Imanol Alguacil's side have collected 16 points from a possible 18, their latest victory coming against Elche by a 1-0 scoreline at the weekend.

Sociedad are still waiting for Alexander Isak to find his feet in front of goal this term, but the fact that they still sit in second spot in Spain's top flight only bodes well for the future.

As far as this competition is concerned, Sociedad would have been satisfied with their share of the spoils against PSV, especially after trailing in the first half.

Nevertheless, that result only heaps pressure on the White and Blue ahead of this encounter, one which they can ill-afford to suffer defeat if they are to retain ambitions of topping the group.

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Nico Kovac was battling to save his job as Monaco boss ahead of their group opener with Sturm Graz after a run of one victory in six outings.

However, their scrappy 1-0 victory over the Austrian side acted as the catalyst for seven points being accumulated from their next three Ligue 1 fixtures.

Now sitting just three points below third position in France's top flight, Kovac will be optimistic about his team's targets on the domestic and continental scene.

Wissam Ben Yedder has emerged as Monaco's key man over the past two weeks with four goals coming against Nice, Saint-Etienne and Clermont.

Team News

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With Sociedad almost having a full team of players on the sidelines, Alguacil could opt to keep alterations down to a minimum.

Julen Lobete appears likely to keep his place in attack, deputising for Isak, but second-choice goalkeeper Mat Ryan will expect to be handed a second outing between the sticks.

Youssouf Fofana and Aleksandr Golovin are unlikely to start for Monaco after the pair suffered injuries at the weekend.

Eliot Matazo and Sofiane Diop are in line to be recalled to the starting lineup, while Benoit Badiashile is an alternative to Guillermo Maripan in defence.

Cesc Fabregas is again expected to miss out with a muscle injury.

Real Sociedad possible starting lineup:
Remiro; Gorosabel, Zubeldia, Le Normand, Munoz; Zubimendi, Turrientes; Januzaj, Merino, Oyarzabal; Lobete

Monaco possible starting lineup:
Nubel; Aguilar, Maripan, Pavlovic, Jakobs; Matazo, Tchouameni; Martins, Volland, Diop; Ben Yedder

We say: Real Sociedad 1-1 Monaco

This has all the makings of a thrilling encounter, one which Sociedad will know that they can ill-afford to lose. Monaco will also be happy enough with a draw in Spain, leading us to predict a share of the spoils at the Anoeta Stadium.