Lillestrom and Real Sociedad meet on Thursday with the same European record and the same problem. Both have one point from two Europa League matches, and both are already close enough to the lower edge of the table that another flat result would leave little room to breathe. The fixture kicks off on Thursday, 22 October 2026 at 19:00 UTC.
The table pressure
Lillestrom are 23rd in the Europa League standings, while Real Sociedad are 22nd. That gap is only one place, and it fits the broader feel of the tie: neither side has looked comfortably established in the competition yet, and neither has done enough in the first two matches to build a cushion.
Sports Mole put it plainly in its preview, saying: "Real Sociedad will be aiming to record their first victory in this season's Europa League when they continue their league stage campaign away to Lillestrom on Thursday." The same outlet also described the contest as one where "cases can be made for either to win it", and forecast the points being shared.
Recent form gives both sides a route into it
The domestic results are part of why this still feels open. Lillestrom beat Sandefjord 2-0 in their most recent league match, which at least gives them something positive to carry into the European game at home. Real Sociedad were even more emphatic, beating Malaga 5-2 in their latest league outing.
That also lines up with their league position in Spain. Real Sociedad are fifth in La Liga, so their slow European start stands out against a stronger domestic backdrop. Lillestrom's position is more modest, but their recent win keeps them in the kind of frame where they can make this awkward for a better-resourced visitor.
The draw forecast is not hard to understand, but neither is the case for a narrow home edge or an away response. On Thursday, Lillestrom vs Real Sociedad is still a game between two sides that have started the league stage on one point apiece, and both need a first win to stop that position from becoming a bigger issue.
Written by Daniel Hartley with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 1 outlet. How we work →
