Betis and Real Sociedad seek to consolidate their European leadership and advance directly to the second round

MADRID, 26 Oct. (EUROPA PRESS) -

Real Betis and Real Sociedad face this Thursday against the Bulgarian Ludogorets and the Cypriot Omonia, respectively, the fifth day of the group stage of the Europa League with the aim of further strengthening their leadership in the competition, maintaining their undefeated and confirming their presence in the round of 16.

The Betis team will face Ludogorets (6:45 p.m.) as a visitor, and at the top of Group C with 10 points, thanks to their three wins and a draw. The Verdiblancos came out very strengthened from the two games against Roma, their main rival in the three-team trio, winning at the Olimpico and drawing at home against Mourinho's team.

However, their cruising speed based on five games without losing came to a halt in their demanding and competitive duel against Atlético de Madrid at Villamarín on the last day. The 'rojiblancos' went 0-2, but in the second half, when they closed the gap thanks to a remarkable goal from Nabil Fekir, the team improved, fighting until the end for a draw that never came.

Now, in Bulgaria, Pellegrini's men will seek the mathematical classification as first in the group to directly access the round of 16 of the competition, avoiding the teams eliminated in the 'Champions'. To do this, depending on himself, he needs to win or draw, without being necessary to score on the last date. The Chilean, with Carvalho out for personal reasons, recovers Canales, sanctioned against Atleti, and will once again have Fekir, in a duel in which scoring would free them for the derby against Sevilla on November 6.

Opposite will be Ludogorets, second in the group with 7 points, who have gone five games without losing and have become the contender to take the lead from Betis. However, this positive streak has never been like this against Spanish teams, against whom they have lost the last seven games, although the trick of their stadium - where they have only lost one duel - works in their favor.

Like Betis, Real Sociedad, with the round of 16 already in their pocket, should not lower their guard during their visit to affordable Omonia Nicosia (9:00 p.m.), with four defeats and no points in this group stage of the 'Europa League' . A rival, a priori, that will not put Imanol's men in too much trouble, who continue with their impeccable dynamics in Europe, thanks to their full of victories in the first four days, with eight goals for and only one against.

However, the Basque team saw their extraordinary run of nine consecutive victories on the last date of LaLiga Santander come to a halt, when they lost (1-0) in Zorrilla against Real Valladolid. In that duel, the Norwegian Alex Sorloth could not be, forward who recovers the 'txuri-urdin' coach for the European commitment, in a list that has up to seven homegrown players. The loss of David Silva adds to those already known by Oyarzabal, Merquelanz, Ali Cho, Aihen, Sadiq, Ander Martín, Alex Sola and Barrenetxea.

Like the Verdiblanco team, Real Sociedad has in its power to strengthen its first place, which would even be mathematically certified if it wins and Manchester United does not do so against the Sheriff, if it were not so, Basques and 'Red Devils' they would reach the last day with the coveted first place at stake. Thus, those from San Sebastián will have to protect the leadership to advance automatically to the round of 16 and get rid of the 'sharks' of the Champions League.