A rematch between Real Sociedad and Benfica takes place on November 8 in the 4th matchday of the UEFA Champions League. The two sides last competed just two weeks prior, with La Real pulling off an away victory off a lone score from Brais Mendez. Now back in Basque Country, the club will look to continue their unbeaten run in the UCL this season. Read on for a Real Sociedad Champions League match breakdown and stats on the Real Sociedad and Benfica Champions League group.
- Real Sociedad vs S.L. Benfica, UEFA Champions League
- November 8, 2023
- 12:45 PM EST
- Anoeta Stadium, San Sebastian, Basque Country, Spain
- Paramount+
Real Sociedad Champions League Betting Odds
Real Sociedad are now odds-on favorites in this fixture at home, currently holding a line of (-112) on highly-rated online sportsbook BetOnline. The visitors Benfica will have their work cut out for them as (+336) underdogs, good for an implied probability of 22.9%. If neither team can score a winner, a draw will be the official result. This outcome is priced at (+265).
| Copa Libertadores |  |  |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Real Sociedad | -112 | -115 | -115 | -112 | -115 |
| Benfica | +336 | +310 | +310 | +310 | +310 |
| Draw | +260 | +265 | +265 | +260 | +265 |
To better understand the 3-way moneyline (1X2) market, see our soccer betting tips and explore Champions League betting odds.
Real Sociedad and Benfica Champions League Group and Domestic Results
Benfica remain without points after the first half of the group stage, leaving them with an uphill battle to qualify for the knockout round. The Eagles will most likely have to hope for a tiebreaker position after a potential 3rd-place finish in their group to keep their European dreams alive.
Real Sociedad is coming off a loss to Barcelona at home in La Liga, the top domestic flight in Spain. La Real were mere minutes away from gaining points on the league’s 3rd-ranked club but conceded a stoppage-time winner to Ronaldo Araujo. A win in the first round of the Copa Del Rey and a draw to Rayo Vallecano preceded their heartbreaking loss.
On the other hand, Benfica have rebounded nicely after their disappointing loss to Real Sociedad as favorites at home. The club shut out both Chaves and Arouca on the road for back-to-back 2-0 victories after a 1-1 draw to Casa Pia. The Eagles are now only one win behind Sporting in the Primeira Liga.
However, a contrarian would be quick to point out Chaves and Arouca are not necessarily the cream of the crop. In fact, both teams currently occupy the two relegation spots in the Primeira Liga. Wins over these two squads do not necessarily indicate Benfica is back to good form, and bettors should be wary of factoring such results into their analysis of the club.
Introducing Real Sociedad's Rising Talent: Takefusa Kubo
Real Sociedad hit the jackpot with young Japanese talent Takefusa Kubo. At 22, he saw his move to San Sebastian as his last shot at European success. Joining as his eighth professional club, including spells at Barcelona and Villareal, Kubo has exceeded all expectations. He's emerged as one of La Liga's top scorers, racking up numerous Man of the Match awards along the way.
Kubo's style of play aligns seamlessly with Real Sociedad's tactics. The team, known for their high pressing and attacking mindset, complements Kubo's proficiency in finishing. His remarkable performance has captured the hearts of the passionate Japanese fanbase, a nation keen on football but lacking international stars. Kubo's goal-scoring prowess might just be the game-changer for Real Sociedad in an exciting Champions League battle.
Benfica vs Real Sociedad Champions League: Second-ever Matchup
Despite a combined soccer history spanning over 213 years, Benfica and Real Sociedad never faced each other until this year, making October 24th their inaugural encounter. This raises the question: how can we assess and compare these two teams?
Traditionally, La Liga has been regarded as the superior domestic league in comparison to the Portuguese Primeira Liga. La Liga teams have achieved more significant success on the European stage, boasting 19 Champions League titles, whereas Primeira Liga members have won only 4.
In soccer analysis, expected goals (xG) serves as a valuable metric to evaluate a team's performance based on the quantity and quality of scoring opportunities in a match. In the Primeira Liga, Benfica has an xG differential (xGD) to actual goals of +0.36. This suggests that luck has favored Benfica with a 0.36 goal difference over their opponents, both offensively and defensively.
Similarly, Real Sociedad has an xG differential to actual goals of +0.78, indicating that they have been more than twice as fortunate as Benfica in their matches. However, it's crucial to note the limited sample size and the fact that these clubs compete in different leagues with distinct playstyles. As a result, these metrics may not fully reflect their true performance and should be considered alongside other factors when making assessments or betting decisions.
Real Sociedad Champions League Prediction vs Benfica
In conclusion, I see no reason why bettors shouldn’t go back to the Real Sociedad well in this match. Back in Basque Country, La Real already hold a significant edge. Now, they can build off their victory vs Benfica in their last Champions League matchday and make it three wins in a row in Europe.
I still believe many people think Benfica are fielding a better lineup than they actually are, further increasing our discount. Real Sociedad play in the more-impressive La Liga as well, they are subjected to more difficult opponents on a regular basis. They should be confident about their position in the Champions League after the first half of the group stage has commenced. The club has yet to drop a game in the group.
Therefore, I think Real Sociedad remain the side and should be bet at this number. Take Real Sociedad at (-112) at XBet.
Odds are accurate at the time of writing but are subject to change.
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