Preview: Red Bull Salzburg vs. Real Sociedad - prediction, team news, lineups

The home side stunned Portuguese champions Benfica in the opening matchday, while the Spanish club secured a creditable point against Inter Milan.

Match preview

Salzburg were not given a prayer when they travelled to Benfica looking to be the first side since Bayern Munich in 2020 to inflict a group-stage defeat on the Portuguese side.

However, the Austrian side ended Benfica's eight-game undefeated run in a 2-0 success at Estadio Da Luz, with the goals coming from Roko Simic and Oscar Gloukh after Karim Konate failed to convert a third-minute penalty.

Gerhard Struber's men ended their eight-game winless away run in the competition with that success in Lisbon, thus giving the much-needed motivation to approach Tuesday's encounter with Sociedad.

A 1-0 home loss to Linz followed Salzburg's victory at Benfica, but the Red Bulls have secured consecutive 4-0 triumphs over Austria Salzburg in the cup and Austria Lustenau in the league since that shock defeat on their turf.

Whether they secure passage to the first knockout round remains to be seen, but the Red Bulls have undoubtedly started the group stage positively.

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Sociedad would be level with Salzburg in Group D but for Inter's late equaliser at Anoeta in matchday one.

Brais Mendez put the LaLiga side 1-0 up after four minutes on their return to Europe's top club competition, a lead they held until Lautaro Martinez pegged them back.

It was not a perfect night for Sociedad, who were chasing maximum points after a 10-year absence from the competition.

Imanol Alguacil's men will fancy their chances against a side outside the continent's top-five leagues but should be wary of the Austrian side's strength at home — Salzburg have lost only one of the last eight European games in their backyard.

La Real go into Tuesday's game on the back of the weekend's 3-0 thrashing of Athletic Club in the Basque derby.

Red Bull Salzburg Champions League form:

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Red Bull Salzburg form (all competitions):

Real Sociedad Champions League form:

D

Real Sociedad form (all competitions):

W

L

D

W

W

W

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Team News

The Austrian giants have several players sidelined for Tuesday's game, with Fernando, Moussa Kounfolo Yeo, Lukas Wallner and Justin Omoregie expected to miss out against Sociedad.

Bryan Okoh is reportedly nearing a return to action after a hamstring injury, but this week's game could come too soon for the defender.

Kieran Tierney was replaced after 25 minutes in the Basque derby, and the Scotland international is expected to miss Tuesday's clash due to a troubled hamstring; Martín Merquelanz is unlikely to return to action until late October, while David Silva's ACL injury has him sidelined till 2024.

Arsen Zakharyan is doubtful for the game, and the virus contracted means his participation on Tuesday is touch and go.

Red Bull Salzburg possible starting lineup:

Schlager; Dedic, Baidoo, Pavlovic, Terzic; Bidstrup, Gourna-Douath, Gloukh, Kjaergaard; Simic, Konate

Real Sociedad possible starting lineup:

Remiro; Traore, Elustondo, Pacheco, Munoz; Cho, Gonzalez, Turrientes, Merino; Fernandez, Oyarzabal

We say: Red Bull Salzburg 1-1 Real Sociedad

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