Real Sociedad welcome Real Madrid to the Reale Arena on Saturday for a Spanish La Liga clash. The hosts have endured a rough start to the season and will face an uphill task against Los Blancos, who have not dropped a single point this term.
Real Sociedad are seeking their first win of the season, having picked up just two points from their opening three matches and languishing in 16th place. Their most recent outing was a disappointing 1-0 loss to newly-promoted Real Oviedo, falling behind just before the break and failing to find their way back into the contest.
This poor start is an extension of Real Sociedad’s struggles from the end of last season as they are winless in seven of their last eight La Liga matches. Sergio Francisco’s side have also found things difficult at Reale Arena, having failed to win four of their last five home matches.
In stark contrast, Real Madrid have made a perfect start to life under manager Xabi Alonso, having won their opening three La Liga matches. They picked up a 2-1 home victory over Mallorca in their previous fixture thanks to efforts from Vinicius Junior and Arda Guler.
Real Madrid will travel to Reale Arena with a solid record on their travels, having won four of their last five away matches in the league. Their last fixture on the road was a comfortable 3-0 victory at Real Oviedo.
How the bookies view it: Real Madrid overwhelming favourites
Real Madrid have the upper hand among the bookies and are priced at 6/10 by BoyleSports to claim the win. Real Sociedad are outsiders, with a home win valued at 15/4 while a draw is set at odds of 14/5.
Head to head: Upper hand for Los Blancos
Real Madrid have a 28-7 advantage with seven draws from 42 previous matches against Real Sociedad. Los Blancos won three of the four league and cup meetings last season, claiming a 2-0 victory in the most recent clash back in May.
Players to watch: Red Hot Mbappe
Kylian Mbappe has made a solid start to the season, having found the net three times already. The striker has also scored three goals in the last three matches against Real Sociedad and will be keen to maintain that run (Kylian Mbappe anytime goalscorer – valued at 4/5 with BoyleSports.
Mikel Oyarzabal often carries the attacking threat for Real Sociedad and scored twice against Real Madrid last season. The striker will be keen to get off the mark this term and could be worth keeping an eye on (Mikel Oyarzabal anytime goalscorer – offered at 11/4).
Probable line-ups:
Alex Remiro should start in goal for Real Sociedad, who could have Jon Aramburu, Igor Zubeldia and Duje Caleta-Car in defence. Takefusa Kubo and Ander Barrenetxea are expected to provide width on the wings, with Oyarzabal joined up front by Orri Oskarsson.
For Real Madrid, the ever-present Thibaut Courtois is expected to keep his place in goal, with Dean Huijsen and Eder Militao as centre-backs. Federico Valverde and Franco Mastantuono are expected in midfield, while Vinicius and Mbappe should lead the attack.
Real Sociedad: Remiro, Aramburu, Caleta-Car, Zubeldia, Munoz, Turrientes, Kubo, Marin, Barrenetxea, Oskarsson, Oyarzabal
Real Madrid: Courtois, Alexander-Arnold, Militao, Huijsen, Carreras, Valverde, Tchouameni, Mastantuono, Guler, Vinicius, Mbappe
Anything else catch the eye?
Five of Real Madrid’s last six matches have produced over 2.5 goals (Over 2.5 goals – priced at 8/11 by BoyleSports). Los Blancos have scored over 1.5 goals in four of their last six matches (Real Madrid over 1.5 goals – set at odds of 8/13).
Both teams have scored in two of Real Sociedad's three matches this season (BTTS YES – offered at 8/11).
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