- 1 Real Sociedad vs Bournemouth: a Copa del Rey winner takes on the sixth-place Premier League side
- 2 Real Sociedad: two wins, three defeats and a late collapse against Atletico
- 3 Bournemouth: three draws on the spin, four injuries and a Christie hat-trick in the cup
- 4 Europa League prediction Real Sociedad vs Bournemouth
- 5 First, a word on our free predictions
- 6 No commitment from us
- 7 Information changes
- 8 Your responsibility
- 9 Responsible gambling first
- 10 Legal age
- 11 About the images…
Real Sociedad vs Bournemouth: a Copa del Rey winner takes on the sixth-place Premier League side 
Real Sociedad are in this Europa League on the back of their Copa del Rey triumph. Bournemouth booked their spot through league position, finishing with 57 points and sixth place in the Premier League.
The two clubs kick off their league phase on Thursday 17 September at Anoeta, with the game starting at 21:00 CEST. Neither side had to go through a qualifying round.
The Basque club are no strangers to the continental stage. They reached the Champions League round of 16 in 2024, where PSG knocked them out.
Bournemouth, though, come into this campaign with a clear target. Winning the Europa League brings a Champions League spot, and the Cherries see that route as more realistic than pushing for the Premier League top five.
Their starts to the season tell very different stories, though both have been messy. Real Sociedad have two wins and three defeats from their first five La Liga matches.
Bournemouth are still waiting for their first Premier League win after four games. A defeat at Manchester City and three straight draws make up their record.
Last weekend hit both sides in different ways. Real were beaten 3-0 at home by Atletico Madrid, while Bournemouth threw away a 2-2 draw against Brentford after going ahead.
So this first matchday gives both clubs a chance to reset. Neither can afford to open the competition with a blank.
The odds say as much. The draw is priced at 3.38, a sign the bookmakers see no clear favourite.
Both teams are aiming for the top eight after eight games, which sends them straight into the round of 16. For the visitors, even a point would be a decent start.
Real Sociedad: two wins, three defeats and a late collapse against Atletico 
Real Sociedad made a sluggish start to their La Liga campaign with two away defeats. First came a 1-0 loss at Real Betis, then a heavy 4-1 beating at Real Madrid.
They then steadied the ship with back-to-back wins. Espanyol were beaten 2-1, and a trip to Elche brought a 3-2 victory.
That positive run came to a brutal end last Sunday at Anoeta. Atletico Madrid won 3-0, scoring all three goals in the final six minutes.
It is worth stressing because it says plenty. The Basques had held out for more than 80 minutes before collapsing, with Alejandro Grimaldo finishing with a goal and an assist.
That late fragility is the main concern heading into Thursday. Bournemouth, after all, scored in the 52nd minute against Brentford before letting it slip away.
Going forward, Real still lean on Mikel Oyarzabal, a World Cup winner with La Roja. Goncalo Guedes, who scored eight La Liga goals last season, adds another threat.
Carlos Soler brings experience in midfield, alongside Sucic, Oskarsson and Gorrotxategi. The spine of the side is still intact.
Two players will miss this opening fixture. Full-back Odriozola and midfielder Marin are injured, with the former possibly not even making the UEFA squad.
At right-back, Aramburu remains the starter despite the arrival of Hector Fort. The defender joined from Barcelona in the 2026 summer window.
Mamadou Sarr, signed from Chelsea in the same window, also strengthens the back line. The club offset the exits of Caleta-Car and Brais Mendez with younger additions.
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Bournemouth: three draws on the spin, four injuries and a Christie hat-trick in the cup 
Bournemouth are still chasing their first Premier League win. Marco Rose and his side have picked up a point a game over the last three league fixtures.
They began the season with a 2-1 defeat at Manchester City. Everton then snatched a 1-1 draw on the south coast, before Newcastle held them to a 2-2 at St James’ Park.
The 2-2 with Brentford last Saturday was the most painful of the lot. Bournemouth had turned it around through Kluivert on 38 minutes and Tavernier on 52.
Kevin Schade equalised four minutes later after a loose pass from Petrovic. A second strike from the same player then wiped out the comeback in 14 minutes.
That kind of thing keeps happening to the English side since the restart. Going ahead, then handing it back, is a big reason they are still waiting for a win.
The cup has at least offered a clean contrast. Lincoln were swept aside 4-0 the previous week, with Scotland international Ryan Christie scoring a hat-trick.
Tavernier has two Premier League goals this season. Evanilson has supplied two assists, while Truffert has owned the left flank since arriving from Rennes.
The treatment room is still crowded on the south coast, though. Kroupi Jr, who scored 13 league goals last season, is out.
Adli, who hit three goals and added an assist last year, is also sidelined. Full-back Araujo and Serbian defender Milosavljevic complete the absentee list.
The summer window did at least give them rotation options. Michele Di Gregorio arrived from Juventus, Alvaro Rodriguez from Elche, Antonio Silva from Benfica and Juanlu Sanchez from Sevilla.
Likely Real Sociedad line-up: Not announced at time of publication. Unavailable: Odriozola, Marin (injured).
Likely Bournemouth line-up: Not announced at time of publication. Unavailable: Kroupi Jr, Adli, Araujo, Milosavljevic (injured).
Europa League prediction Real Sociedad vs Bournemouth
Our prediction: Real Sociedad or draw (double chance)
Bournemouth have not won a Premier League game this season and are missing four players, including last season’s top scorer. Losing Kroupi Jr and Adli at the same time strips the Cherries of 13 goals and three goals from the previous campaign.
Real Sociedad, meanwhile, are at Anoeta, where they held Atletico for more than 80 minutes before cracking. They still have Oyarzabal and Guedes, their two main attacking outlets, and only two absentees.
The current English form also points the same way: three draws in a row, with a goal conceded every time after taking the lead or levelling. Take the double chance on the Basques.
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