Real Sociedad will take on Real Madrid on Saturday, 14 September as La Liga returns following the first international break of the season.
The hosts haven't started the season how they would have liked and have already tasted defeat on two occasions. Could the visit of Real Madrid spring them into life?
Real Madrid haven't been as emphatic as expected, either. Los Blancos may be unbeaten but they have split two wins with two draws and already trail Barcelona by four points.
How the bookies view it: The visitors go in as favourites
Real Madrid are the favourites to win the match on Saturday night but they aren't as short as you might expect given Real Sociedad's ropey start to the season. Betfred have priced a Real Madrid victory at 7/10 while a win for Real Sociedad has been priced at 4/1. The draw, which would be a better result for the hosts, has been priced at 11/4.
Recent head-to-head: Advantage Real Madrid
Real Sociedad have been regulars inside La Liga's top six over the past five years but they have failed to ever consistently get the better of Real Madrid. Carlo Ancelotti's men have won four of their last six matches against Real Sociedad while the Basque club have won just one of the last nine.
Real Sociedad's last win over Real Madrid came in a home match at the end of the 2022/23 season so they will be using that as inspiration ahead of kick-off.
Players to watch: An intriguing midfield battle
While much has been made about Real Madrid's new dysfunctional front three, their midfield has also had a different look so far in the early season. While this has been due to injuries rather than choice, they have fared well with Arda Guler in particular standing out.
Jude Bellingham and Aurelien Tchouameni are both now back in training and could return to the starting XI against Real Sociedad which would mean another revamp of the midfield. If they do start, they will likely be joined by the energetic Valverde in the middle of the park which will make them a stern midfield to face.
The standout player in the Real Sociedad midfield is Martin Zubimendi and he has it all to do. There is a Mikel Merino-shaped hole in the Sociedad team following his move to Arsenal and Sociedad are now lacking a physical presence. Can Zubimendi get the better of the Madrid midfield with just Benat Turrientes alongside him?
Predicted line-ups
As mentioned, Jude Bellingham and Aurelien Tchouameni are back in training and could return for Real Madrid. Guler will either drop out or move to the front three. Real Sociedad will be without at least four senior players, with the latest blow being the news that Mikel Oyarzabal will be out for an extended period following an injury he picked up for Spain.
Real Sociedad: Remiro – Aramburu, Zubeldia, Pacheco, Lopez – Gomez, Zubimendi, Turrientes – Kubo, Becker, Oskarsson
Real Madrid: Courtois – Carvajal, Militao, Rudiger, Mendy – Valverde, Tchouameni, Bellingham – Rodrygo, Vinicius, Mbappe
Anything else catch the eye?
Real Madrid have conceded at least once in both of their away games so far this season while Real Sociedad have conceded twice in both of their home matches. Both teams to score on Saturday has been priced at 5/6 by Betfred.
This La Liga match between Real Sociedad and Real Madrid will be played on Sep 14, 2024 and kick off at 20:00. Check below for our tipsters best Real Sociedad vs Real Madrid prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
