Real Madrid hold a slim advantage as they host Real Sociedad in their Spanish Copa del Rey semi-final second leg clash. Los Blancos have eased past their opponents lately and given their dominant record in this fixture, should claim a comfortable victory.
A first-half effort from Endrick was enough to give Real Madrid a 1-0 win in the first leg. That result is part of a fine run for Carlo Ancelotti’s men, who have won four of their last five matches, qualifying for the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League in the process.
The Santiago Bernabeu remains a fortress for Real Madrid, who are unbeaten in their last eight home matches, claiming seven wins in that run. They earned a 3-2 Spanish La Liga victory over Leganes last weekend.
Real Sociedad's campaign appears to be falling apart as that first-leg defeat is part of a poor run that saw them also crash out of the Europa League. They are winless in six of their last seven matches, suffering four defeats in that run but did claim a 2-1 La Liga victory over Real Valladolid last weekend.
A poor record on the road to be one of the problems for Real Sociedad, who are winless in eight of their last 10 away matches in all competitions, losing seven times in that run. Imanol Alguacil’s men have failed to score in two of the last four matches in that run, with a rough 4-0 defeat at Barcelona among their results.
How the bookies view it: Smooth sailing for Madrid
Real Madrid have been installed as overwhelming favourites among the bookies and are priced at 3/10 by BoyleSports to claim the win. An unlikely victory for Real Sociedad is valued at 6/1 by BoyleSports, who are also offering odds or 15/4 for a draw.
Head to head: Madrid have the edge
Real Madrid have a 35-13 advantage with 12 draws from 60 previous matches against Real Sociedad. Los Blancos have already beaten their rivals twice this season, claiming a 2-0 La Liga away victory in September before the 1-0 first leg win.
Players to watch: Young forwards to shine
Endrick has four goals in the last three Copa del Rey matches and could be worth keeping an eye on. With Ader Guler also impressing whenever called upon, both men could ensure Los Blancos produce over 1.5 goals at 4/11 with BoyleSports.
At the other end of the pitch, Real Madrid had a shutout in the first leg and will be targeting a repeat on Tuesday. Antonio Rudiger remains a rock at the back and with the hosts earning a win to nil in the last four matches against Real Sociedad, a repeat is on the cards at 5/4 with BoyleSports.
Probable line-ups
Fringe players like Endrick and Guler have done the business for Real Madrid in the Copa Del Rey and the manager is likely to maintain the status quo. Thibaut Courtois, Dani Ceballos and Eder Militao remain sidelined with injury.
Sheraldo Becker and Brais Mendez are both sidelined for Real Sociedad with injury. However, Ander Barrenetxea could return after serving a suspension last weekend. Mikel Oyarzabal is likely to lead the line once again.
Real Madrid: Lunin, Garcia, Asencio, Rudiger, Vasquez, Camavinga, Ceballos, Bellingham, Guler, Endrick, Vinicius
Real Sociedad: Remiro, Munoz, Aguerd, Zubeldia, Aramburu, Zubimendi, Barrenetxea, Sucic, Marin, Kubo, Oyarzabal
Anything else catch the eye?
Real Sociedad have suffered some heavy defeats on their travels and given Real Madrid’s attacking quality, a -1 handicap can be considered at 20/23 with BoyleSports. Los Blancos have scored in both halves in three of their last four Copa del Rey matches and a repeat is priced at 20/21 with BoyleSports.
Real Madrid have won the first half in all four of their Copa del Rey matches and could be set for a similar outcome at 4/5 with BoyleSports.
This Spanish Cup match between Real Madrid and Real Sociedad will be played on and kick off at 20:30. Check below for our tipsters best Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
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