Overview
After a disappointing 2023-24 campaign, Ajax are performing much better under new coach Francesco Farioli. Since losing to Breda on 18 August, Ajax have gone 16 games unbeaten in all competitions, including 3 wins and 1 draw from 4 matches in the Europa League.
In those 4 matches, Ajax scored 13 goals and conceded only 1. These are the most impressive numbers in this year's Europa League campaign.
With their good form, Ajax are completely confident in their away match against Real Sociedad. The La Liga representative has only 4 points in the Europa League, including a forgettable defeat against Viktoria Plzen in the last match. Real Sociedad will have to try much harder if they still want to go far in this year's tournament.
Coach Imanol Alguacil's side are winless in three of their last four games in all competitions, although they surprisingly beat Barcelona in their most recent match at the Reale Arena.
Real Sociedad will have home advantage when hosting Ajax. However, this can hardly be considered an advantage, as Real Sociedad have only had 2 wins and 1 draw after 8 recent matches played at Reale Arena this season. Therefore, it is not impossible that Ajax will return with at least 1 point despite playing away.
The only previous meeting between Real Sociedad and Ajax was a friendly in 2014 which ended 3-1 in favour of the Dutch side.
Human resources situation
Real Sociedad are without Orri Oskarsson and Hamari Traore, who are both sidelined through injury. Sheraldo Becker could start up front alongside Oyarzabal, while Nayef Aguerd will feature in defence.
On the other side of the front line, Gaston Avila has to sit out along with Mika Godts. Brobbey will keep his place in attack, while Jordan Henderson continues to take on the role in the center of midfield.
Expected lineup:
Real Sociedad: Remiro, Aramburu, Zubeldia, Aguerd, Lopez, Zubimendi, Kubo, Gomez, Sucic, Becker, Oyarzabal.
Ajax: Pasveer, Hato, Baas, Sutalo, Rensch, Klaasen, Henderson, Berghuis, Taylor, Traore, Brobbey.
The match between Real Sociedad and Ajax takes place at 3:00 a.m. on November 29 (Vietnam time).
