Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad: preview team news and prediction

After enjoying a stellar start to this season, Real Madrid will be looking to continue their momentum when they welcome Real Sociedad at the newly renovated Estadio Santiago Bernabéu in La Liga on Sunday evening.

Los Blancos have won all of the first four games of this season and as a consequence of that, they are currently at the summit of the table with 12 points, two points ahead of the title rival Barcelona.

So, Carlo Ancelotti’s side will be full of confidence ahead of this encounter, but beating Real Sociedad won’t be easy as they are currently unbeaten in the league at the moment, though they have only won one game in the first four league fixtures.

Summer reinforcements

Real Madrid have spent big in the recently concluded summer window. They have signed Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund and he has turned out to be a great signing. He has already showcased glimpses of his qualities and has established himself as a talismanic figure for them. Los Blancos have also signed Arda Guler, Fran Garcia and Kepa Arrizabalaga to reinforce their squad this summer.

However, losing Karim Benzema could be a real issue for Real Madrid this season. They have purchased Joselu to replace the Frenchman and Bellingham has so far showcased his ability in front of the goal that has filled Benzema’s void momentarily.

But, it is going to be interesting to see whether Bellingham can manage to continue scoring goals. If he can’t do that then Los Blancos will certainly feel Benzema’s absence.

Team News

Real Madrid have been stung with several long-term injury issues at the moment as Thibaut Courtois and Eder Militao are currently sidelined with serious injuries. The Spanish giants have signed Kepa on loan from Chelsea to fill the void amid Courtois’ absence and he started in the last two games.

Guler has been struggling with injury problems since moving to the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu this summer and he is set to remain sidelined in this encounter as well. Vinicius Jr. is not in contention to feature this weekend due to an injury problem so, Joselu will be paired up with Rodrygo in the attack.

Ferland Mendy and Danny Ceballos missed out in the first few games of this term but they have now returned to full training so they are likely to be included in the matchday squad for this encounter.

Real Sociedad don’t have many injury absentees ahead of this fixture but Martin Merquelanz and new signing Andre Silva won’t be available for selection this weekend.

Previous meetings

Real Madrid are the superior team in this encounter and have enjoyed great success against Real Sociedad at the Bernabéu, though they failed to beat Imanol Alguacil’s side in both fixtures last term. So, Los Blancos will be hoping to defeat the Basque side this weekend.

How to watch

The game will start at 8 pm UK time on Sunday and the encounter will be telecasted live on Viaplay Sports 1, La Liga TV and Viaplay UK. You can still buy Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad tickets at Seatsnet.com and it would be worthwhile visiting the newly renovated Bernabeu as it should be a fantastic spectacle at Madrid’s stunning new stadium.

Key players

Bellingham has so far been the catalyst of Real Madrid’s impressive performances this season and surprisingly he is now the main goal-scoring threat for them.

Ancelotti has been forced to change his plan this season due to the lack of presence of a top-class striker. The Italian has opted to go with a 4-4-2 diamond formation, deploying the 20-year-old in the number ten position and that move has turned out to be a great success.

Bellingham has already scored five goals in the first four games and is currently the leading goal-scorer in the Spanish top-flight.

Rodrygo is currently the main attacking option for Ancelotti amid Vinicius’ injury and he has displayed promising performances in the first few games.

Toni Kroos is likely to be the main creator for Real Madrid should he start. He has started only one game so far this season but following his impact against Getafe after coming off the bench in the second half, it will be very difficult for Ancelotti to drop him. Federico Valverde has just returned after his international duty with Uruguay so it would be better to give him rest ahead of next week’s Champions League fixture.

As for La Real, Ex-Real Madrid star Takefusa Kubo has enjoyed a promising start to this season, scoring three goals and registering a solitary assist in the first four games. So, the Real Sociedad fans will be hoping that the Japanese will be able to showcase his best against his former employers.

Mikel Oyarzabal has been the mainstay of Real Sociedad’s attack and they will be looking at him to finish off the chances. He is likely to start as the centre-forward amid Silva’s absence with Umar Sadiq unlikely to commence.

Real Madrid will have to keep an eye on Ander Barrenetxea – who is an exciting talent and has started the season productively, scoring twice in the first four league appearances.

Predicted line-up

After playing with 4-3-3 system over the last couple of years at Real Madrid, Ancelotti has decided to change his formation this season and has been using 4-4-2 diamond.

Kepa is set to commence in goal and in front of the Spaniard, Dani Carvajal, Antonio Rudiger, David Alaba and Fran Garcia should be the back four.

Real Madrid is blessed with plenty of talent in their engine room, but the trio – who could commence this weekend are Aurelien Tchouameni, Eduardo Camavinga and Toni Kroos with Bellingham in the number ten position. Rodrygo and Joselu should lead the line.

Real Madrid predicted line-up

Kepa; Carvajal, Rudiger, Alaba, García; Tchouameni, Camavinga, Kroos, Bellingham; Rodrygo, Joselu

Alguacil likes to deploy a 4-3-3 formation and it’s likely to be the same in this encounter. Alex Romero will be between the sticks. Arsenal loanee Kieran Tierney should be in his preferred left-back position and alongside him, Robin Le Normand, Igor Zubeldia and Hamari Traore are likely to start.

Brais Méndez, Mikel Merino and Martin Zubimendi could be the midfield trio, while Barrenetxea, Oyarzabal and Kubo are expected to be the front three.

Expected Real Sociedad starting eleven

Romero; Traore, Le Normand, Zubeldia, Tierney; Zubimendi, Méndez, Merino; Kubo, Oyarzabal, Barrenetxea

Prediction

Real Madrid always come as a big favourite in almost every game in La Liga and it won’t be anything different this weekend. So, Ancelotti’s side will be hoping to win back-to-back games at the newly renovated Estadio Santiago Bernabéu on Sunday.

However, Real Sociedad won’t go down without fighting and they have qualities to cause Los Blancos all sorts of problems. So, Real Madrid will have to be at their very best to continue their perfect start this weekend. Real Madrid 3-1 Real Sociedad