Real Madrid will be looking to make it five wins in a row as they host Real Sociedad. The team led by Carlo Ancelotti is in first place with 12 points. Real Sociedad haven’t lost this season. They are in eighth place with six points after four games.
Preview (Real Madrid vs. Real Sociedad)
In the early going of the season, Real Madrid hasn’t exactly been playing flawless football. They have been incredibly successful, winning four straight games against Athletic Bilbao, Almeria, Celta Vigo, and Getafe to sit atop the standings, two points ahead of second-placed Girona. Jude Bellingham has been the standout performer thus far, scoring five goals in his first four games. This included a dramatic comeback victory over Getafe just before the break. Los Blancos will play Union Berlin at home the following week to kick off their Champions League campaign. They are also attempting to reclaim the La Liga championship from Barcelona this season.
Then, on September 24, Ancelotti’s team will go to the magnificent Wanda Metropolitano stadium for a La Liga match against Atletico Madrid in a Madrid derby. Los Blancos will be eager to demonstrate that their momentum has not been halted by the international break because it coincided with their poor season start. However, Real Madrid has only triumphed in two of their previous six La Liga encounters with Real Sociedad. Real Sociedad earned a point against Real Madrid in the Bernabeu last season. The Basque team also recently defeated Real Madrid on the road, 2-0, in the league.
The team of Imanol Alguacil is unbeaten so far this year and is in eighth place in the standings going into the upcoming round of games after accruing six points from their four games. Real Sociedad drew three straight games in August against Girona, Celta Vigo, and Las Palmas before winning their first game before the break, 5-3 at home against Granada. The White and Blues, who placed fourth in La Liga last season, led Granada 5-1 before the visitors made a late comeback attempt, but they were still able to capture a crucial three points. Real Sociedad will start its Champions League group-stage campaign the following week. The Basque team will play Inter Milan in their section opener.
Team News
Eder Militao, Thibaut Courtois, Arda Guler, and Vinicius Junior are presently out for Real Madrid. Ferland Mendy and Dani Ceballos both suffered injuries. They are both now back in full training. Ceballos will be back in the lineup for this game. Mendy won’t make the squad for the European encounter against Union Berlin. There shouldn’t be any significant surprises in the starting lineup for the home team today because Vinicius’ recent problem has given Joselu the opportunity to play alongside Rodrygo in the front two.
Fran Garcia will likely start at left-back as well. Martin Merquelanz and Andre Silva won’t be available for Real Sociedad’s match against Ancelotti’s team in the Spanish capital. Mikel Oyarzabal might play as the center-forward, as he did against Granada the previous time around.
Takefusa Kubo, who scored twice against Granada, is expected to play against his former club if head coach Alguacil opts to go with the same starting lineup from the team’s game before the break. This match has all the ingredients for success, and we anticipate Real Sociedad to make Real Madrid’s evening extremely uncomfortable. Although a draw in this match would not be unexpected, we just have a hunch that Los Blancos will be able to manage their way to another crucial three points.
Real Madrid 2 – 1 Real Sociedad
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