RB Leipzig vs. Real Sociedad: UEFA Europa League probable line-ups, match stats and LIVE blog!

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Leipzig have been on fire in 2022, rediscovering their devastating attacking flair in the eight games Domenico Tedesco has been at the helm. After suffering a narrow 3-2 defeat to Bayern last week, Die Roten Bullen bounced back with an impressive 3-1 victory over Cologne on Friday, their fifth win in six games this year. Nkunku opened the scoring with a sumptuous free-kick in that fixture, taking his haul to 19 goals in 31 competitive outings this term, and the return to fitness of Dani Olmo - likewise on the scoresheet against the Billy Goats - gives Tedesco an embarrassment of riches in the attacking third, with Dominik Szoboszlai and Emil Forsberg among those competing for a place behind lone striker Andre Silva. Marcel Halstenberg is the only definite absentee on Thursday as Leipzig bid to take command of their knockout round play-off tie and take a step towards the last 16.

Real Sociedad are in similarly good form and have only lost once since the turn of the year, drawing three and winning four. That includes an eye-catching 2-0 triumph over reigning Spanish champions Atletico Madrid in mid-January, and victory over Granada on Sunday by the same scoreline to leave them sixth in the La Liga standings. Sociedad likewise boast fearsome attacking weapons of their own in former Dortmund man Isak, veteran playmaker David Silva and eight-goal top scorer Mikel Oyarzabal, while Leipzig may also have to contend with the familiar face of striker Alexander Sörloth, who struck five goals in 29 Bundesliga appearances for them last season.

Watch: Tactical Analysis: Tedesco's Leipzig Start

Match stats

Nkunku registered seven goals and two assists across Leipzig's six Champions League groups games.

Silva scored three and assisted one in his last four UEFA outings prior to the winter break, and has had a direct hand in five goals in his last six Bundesliga outings.

Leipzig beat Atletico 2-1 in their only European meeting against Spanish opposition to date, in their one-legged 2019/20 Champions League quarter-final.

Leipzig have three Spaniards on their books in Angelino, Josep Martinez and Olmo, none of whom have played in La Liga.

Sociedad have faced Bundesliga opposition eight times to date, and are winless in four on German soil (D1, L3).

Adnan Januzaj (2015), Mikel Merino (2016/17) and Isak (2017/18) are former Bundesliga players, all having represented Dortmund.

Probable line-ups

Leipzig: Gulacsi (c) - Simakan, Orban, Gvardiol - Klostermann, Laimer, Kampl, Angelino - Olmo, Nkunku - Silva

Out: Halstenberg (back)

Doubtful: -

Coach: Domenico Tedesco

Sociedad: Remiro - Zaldua, Elustondo, Le Normand, Munoz - Rafinha, Guevara, Merino - Januzaj, Isak, Oyarzabal (c)

Out: Barrenetxea (thigh), Fernandez (knee), Monreal (knee)

Doubtful: -

Coach: Imanol Alguacil