Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad – News and Probable Lineups

Real Madrid will be looking to ascend to the top of the La Liga standings as they continue their domestic campaign with a match against Real Sociedad on Saturday evening.

Los Blancos currently sit second in the table, just one point behind the champions and leaders, Barcelona, while Real Sociedad occupies the eighth position, three points behind sixth-placed Espanyol.

Match overview

This season, Real Madrid boasts a record of 18 victories, three draws, and two losses from 23 La Liga encounters, accumulating 57 points, which places them in second position in the league, one point shy of the leaders, Barcelona, who will not play until Monday evening against Girona.

Consequently, Los Blancos will be aiming to take over the top spot in the league on Saturday, and their current form in La Liga is formidable, having won their last seven league matches consecutively.

Alvaro Arbeloa’s squad recently achieved a 2-0 triumph over Valencia in Spain’s premier division last weekend, and they have enjoyed a week of preparation for this fixture after being eliminated in the Copa del Rey’s last-16 by Albacete.

Real Madrid holds the third-best home performance record in La Liga this season, gathering 30 points from 11 matches at the Bernabeu, while Real Sociedad has managed 11 points from their 11 away games.

Furthermore, Los Blancos secured a 2-1 win over Real Sociedad in their previous encounter earlier this season, and they remain unbeaten against their Basque rivals since May 2023.

Real Madrid La Liga form:

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Real Madrid form (all competitions):

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Real Sociedad La Liga form:

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Real Sociedad form (all competitions):

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Team News

Real Madrid will be without Eder Militao (hamstring) and Jude Bellingham (hamstring) for the match on Saturday evening, while both Ferland Mendy (hamstring) and Rodrygo (muscle) will undergo assessments prior to the game.

Vinicius Junior is set to return after serving his suspension during the Valencia match, while a fit-again Trent Alexander-Arnold may start after his return from injury as a substitute in the two-goal win over Los Che.

Brahim Diaz delivered a strong performance off the bench against Valencia and could be rewarded with a starting role, particularly if Rodrygo is unfit, while Arda Guler and Franco Mastantuono are currently struggling with their form at this stage of the season.

As for Real Sociedad, they will miss Takefusa Kubo (hamstring), Unai Marrero (face), and Brais Mendez (suspended) for the trip to Bernabeu.

Arsen Zakharyan (calf), Ander Barrenetxea (muscle), and Luka Sucic (groin) may also be sidelined, with the three players facing late fitness evaluations.

Alvaro Odriozola might feature against his former side at right-back, but it is likely to be the same lineup that took the field at the kickoff against Athletic in the Copa del Rey, with Mikel Oyarzabal playing through the center.

Real Madrid probable starting XI:

Courteous; Alexander-Arnold, Asencio, Huijsen, Carreras; Valverde, Tchouameni, Camavinga; Brahim, Mbappe, Vinicius

Real Sociedad probable starting XI:

Remiro; Odriozola, Martin, Caleta-Car, Gomez; Gorrotxategi, Turrientes; Marin, Soler, Guedes; Oyarzabal

Given Real Sociedad’s impressive form, the visitors possess the capability to pose a significant challenge for Real Madrid. Nevertheless, Arbeloa’s side is determined to secure the top position in the table, and a narrow victory for Los Blancos is anticipated come Saturday.