(Football news) Manchester United face Real Sociedad for the top spot in Group E in the Europa League at the Anoeta Stadium on Thursday night. Imanol Alguacil's side have a three-point lead over the Red Devils as they simply need to avoid defeat to consign the visitors to a knockout round playoff tie. United since succumbing to a controversial Mendez's penalty on the opening matchday of the Europa League have recovered in brilliant fashion to ensure that they will at least be in the knockout round playoffs after four consecutive wins.
Inflicting a one goal win over Sociedad will not be enough to seal top spot for Man United, who need to win by at least two goals on Thursday if they are to automatically qualify for the last-16 and avoid the Champions League teams. Manchester United travel to Spain having scored in each of their last 12 away Europa League matches since October 2019, and the last time they visited the Anoeta Stadium they thumped Real Sociedad 4-0 during the 2020-21 Europa League last-32, and they would like replicate such a showing as it would be enough to finish first-placed in Group E.
Real Sociedad possible starting lineup:
Remiro; Gorosabel, Zubeldia, Pacheco, Rico; Merino, Zubimendi, Guevara; Mendez; Sorloth, Fernandez
Manchester United possible starting lineup:
De Gea; Dalot, Martinez, Maguire, Shaw; Casemiro, Eriksen; Antony, Fernandes, Rashford; Ronaldo
Having missed out the opportunity to wrap up qualification for the last-16, Arsenal will aim to seal top spot in Group A when FC Zurich go to the Emirates Stadium on Thursday. Mikel Arteta's side remain first in the group despite going down 2-0 to PSV last week, while their Swiss opponents can only reach the Europa Conference League now. Arsenal are now looking well-placed to book their ticket to the last-16 of the Europa League as they simply need to match or better PSV's result against Bodo/Glimt. Arteta's team will be hoping that the artificial turf can trip up their Dutch rivals as it nearly did them.
Only two points separate Arsenal and PSV heading into the last matchday. The North London club have won each of their last 11 matches at home. Arsenal's last five European fixtures at home have ended in victory; they have lost just one of their last 19 such games and Arteta has stressed on the importance of finishing top and avoiding adding a playoff tie with a Champions team into their unforgiving schedule.
Arsenal possible starting lineup:
Ramsdale; Tomiyasu, Holding, Gabriel, Tierney; Odegaard, Lokonga, Vieira; Nelson, Nketiah, Martinelli
FC Zurich possible starting lineup:
Brecher; Mets, Aliti, Kamberi; Boranijasevic, Selnaes, Conde, Guerrero; Marchesano; Okita, Tosin
Also read: Real Madrid hope to top the group with a win at home against Celtic
