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Sports Mole previews Thursday's Europa League clash between Omonia and Real Sociedad, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Real Sociedad will be looking to maintain their perfect record in Group E of the Europa League when they travel to Cyprus to face Omonia on Thursday.

While the hosts have lost all four group matches, the visitors could secure top spot with a victory if second-placed Manchester United fail to beat Sheriff Tiraspol at Old Trafford.

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Match preview

Despite coming so close to claiming a famous draw away at Man United on matchday four, a run of eight defeats in 11 games across all competitions ultimately cost head coach Neil Lennon, who was relieved of his duties last week after just seven months at the helm.

Marios Nicolaou took temporary charge of Omonia's 3-0 loss away at Pafos last weekend, a result which has seen the 21-time Cypriot top-flight champions slip to 10th in the table, but they have since appointed Yannick Ferrera as their new head coach, with the 42-year-old taking charge of his first game for the club on Thursday.

Omonia are one of only four teams in this season's Europa League who are yet to claim a single point after four group fixtures, and they head into Thursday's contest after failing to score in each of their last four games across all competitions.

Last season's Cypriot Cup winners were able to find the net against Real Sociedad in matchday two, though, albeit losing 2-1 in Spain, and they will be hoping for more joy in front of goal under the tutelage of a new manager when they face the La Liga side in front of their home supporters.

Real Sociedad saw their eight-game winning run across all competitions come to an end last weekend as they were beaten 1-0 in La Liga away against Real Valladolid.

Despite registering 20 shots on goal, only two managed to hit the target as Imanol Alguacil's side were frustrated at the Estadio Jose Zorrilla, with Sergio Leon scoring the only goal of the game in the 16th minute.

The White and Blues, who have slipped to fourth place in La Liga, will be keen to bounce back with a win in the Europa League on Thursday, and securing maximum points against Omonia would see them seal top spot in a European group-stage competition for the first time in their history.

Indeed, Sociedad have enjoyed a faultless Europa League campaign so far this term, winning all four Group E fixtures and conceding just once in the process. In stark contrast, the Spanish side only won four games in their previous two group-stage campaigns in the competition.

Alguacil will be confident of coming away with all three points in his 100th away match in charge of Sociedad, who have lost only one of their last 10 European games on the road.

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Team News

Omonia goalkeeper Fabinho is ruled out until the New Year with a shoulder injury, with Francis Uzoho set to continue between the sticks.

Centre-back Adam Lang is just one booking away from a suspension, but the Hungary international is expected to retain his place in the heart of the defence alongside Nemanja Miletic and Hector Yuste.

Bruno, Loizos Loizou and Karim Ansarifard could all be handed starts in the front three, although the likes of Tim Matavz, Andronikos Kakoullis and Gary Hooper will also be pushing for a place in the first XI.

As for Real Sociedad, they are still without Mikel Oyarzabal, Umar Sadiq (both ACL), Martin Merquelanz, Alex Sola (both knee), Mohamed-Ali Cho and Aihen Munoz (both muscle) due to injury, although the former has returned to training.

Alexander Sorloth missed the defeat at Valladolid due to an unspecified issue and the striker is doubtful for the trip to Cyprus.

Takefusa Kubo could therefore keep his place up front alongside Carlos Fernandez, with Brais Mendez and David Silva also providing support in attack.

Omonia possible starting lineup:
Panagi; Miletic, Lang, Yuste; Matthews, Charalampous, Cassama, Lecjaks; Loizou, Ansarifard, Bruno

Real Sociedad possible starting lineup:
Remiro; Elustondo, Le Normand, Pacheco, Rico; Zubimendi; Mendez, Merino; D. Silva; Kubo, Fernandez

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We say: Omonia 0-2 Real Sociedad

Omonia will be hoping for a manager bounce under Ferrera as they bid to end their Europa League campaign on a high. However, they come up against arguably one of the strongest teams in this season's competition who should have enough quality to secure a routine win on Thursday, despite the absence of a number of key players.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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