Real Madrid are fighting on both the European and domestic fronts, which is hurting them at the moment with key players being ruled out due to injuries.
Being one point behind league leaders and arch rivals Barcelona, Real Madrid need to win the remaining three games in order to give themselves a chance of clinching the La Liga title. However, a few late season injuries to star forwards Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema could really hurt Madrid’s chances.
Lineups
Real Sociedad
Real Sociedad find themselves in a spot of bother as they have a couple of key players missing from their squad. Top goalscorer Imanol Agirretxe is out injured, while winger Carlos Vela is suspended for this match. Former Real Madrid player Sergio Canales has also been ruled out due to injury.
Possible Starting XI (4-3-3): Rulli; Yuri, Martinez, Elustondo, Zaldua; Bergara, Reyes, Illarramendi; Zurutuza, Jonathas, Oyarzabal.
Real Madrid
Real Madrid have injury worries of their own, with Ronaldo and Benzema being ruled out out. Although the two players are said to be near fitness, coach Zidane is unlikely to risk them as he has the all-important Champions League semi final coming up against Manchester City in midweek.
Possible Starting XI (4-3-3): Navas; Marcelo, Ramos, Varane, Danilo; Casemiro, Isco, Modric; Vazquez, Bale, James.
Key Stats
- Real Madrid have won all of their last nine La Liga encounters.
- Los Blancos have scored at least two goals in each of their last nine La Liga matches.
- Sociedad have lost 12 of their last 14 matches against Real Madrid in all competitions.
- Real Madrid have scored three or more goals in seven of their last eight matches against Sociedad in all competitions.
Prediction
Real Sociedad 0-2 Real Madrid
Zinedine Zidane’s men have been in great form of late, but the absence of a few star players could start to hurt Real Madrid at the fag end of the season. With the likes of Ronaldo and Benzema being ruled out of the tie through injuries, Madrid will be lacking their usual firepower up front. However, they do have strong squad players in the form of Jese Rodriguez, James Rodriguez, and Lucas Vazquez who can take up the goalscoring and goal creating mantle, and get Real the necessary win.
Odds (Paddy Power)
- Real Sociedad: 4/1
- Draw: 31/10
- Real Madrid: 8/13
