Europa League: Real Sociedad and Real Betis in difficulty before quarter-final

• Real Sociedad and Real Betis both face difficult tasks.
• Real Sociedad are hoping for a sell-out crowd.
• Betis are missing French midfielder Nabil Fekir.

Real Sociedad and Real Betis both face difficult tasks on Thursday if they are to advance to the Europa League quarterfinals.

Real Sociedad was defeated 2-0 by Roma in the first leg, while Betis was defeated 4-1 by Manchester United in a second half dominated by the Premier League side.

Real Sociedad are hoping for a sell-out crowd in their Reale Arena to face Jose Mourinho’s side.

Roma proved in the first leg that they don’t need to control the ball, and in San Sebastian, they can be expected to try to defend orderly and hurt Real Sociedad on the break and at set pieces.

La Real must regain their form after a recent slump in performance, with only seven points from their last seven league games.

“You have to start these second-leg ties aggressively, but we have to be careful because it is one thing to be aggressive and another to be unbalanced,” commented Real Sociedad striker Takefusa Kubo to the press on Tuesday.

Betis will be without French midfielder Nabil Fekir against Manchester United. Statistics show that since he tore his cruciate knee ligament against Elche on February 24, his team has created fewer chances and scored fewer goals, with only two in their last three matches.

Despite the fact that young forward Rodri has stepped up, it will be difficult for Betis to overcome a three-goal deficit to Manchester United, even though the Benito Villamarin Stadium will provide an atmosphere.

Manchester United will be without Casemiro after his second red card in 19 Premier League games, but winger Alejandro Garnacho is out with an injury sustained at the weekend.

Sevilla are the third Spanish team in action, with Jorge Sampaoli’s side defending a 2-0 first-leg lead away to Fenerbahce of Turkey.

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