Real Madrid will look to continue their dominance in the league when they hit the road to square up against Real Sociedad.
Sixth-placed Real Sociedad will look to return to winning ways when they host league leaders Real Madrid, who are on course to yet another league title. The visitors have been in exceptional form throughout the season and will look to carry on in a similar fashion, while the home team will look to ensure they do not end up dropping points again.
Real Sociedad have accumulated 51 points in their 32 outings with 13 wins and 12 draws. They are seven points behind fifth-placed Athletic Club and just three points ahead of Real Betis. With six matches to go, they have a lot to play for as a place in a European competition is at stake.
After getting knocked out of the Champions League, Real Sociedad ended up winning three league games in a row. They were flying high but not for long, having played out draws against Almeria and Getafe. Despite being the better team on the pitch, they could not get the desired result and will be hoping for a comeback against Los Blancos.
The visitors are top of the league with 81 points in their 32 outings thanks to 25 wins and six draws. They have only suffered one defeat so far this season and have an eleven-point advantage over second-placed Barcelona. Real Madrid have almost secured the league title, and they took the biggest step in their last outing when they defeated the Blaugrana 3-2 thanks to yet another Jude Bellingham winner.
The win has put them in a very comfortable position, and Carlo Ancelotti could look to ensure everyone is 100% fit before their UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could put to use.
Team News & Tactics
Real Sociedad
The home team will be without the services of Hamari Traore and Brais Mendez. Meanwhile, the availability of Martin Merquelanz, Aihen Munoz, and Carlos Fernandez is a major doubt. They do have a boost as Martin Zubimendi and Igor Zubeldia are back available after serving a suspension last time out.
Real Sociedad will stick to the 4-3-3 formation, where Alex Remiro will be in goal. Alvaro Odriozola and Javi Galan will feature as the full-backs for the home team, while Igor Zubeldia and Robin Le Normand will feature as the centre-back pairing.
The back four will look for a clean sheet against the best attack in the division. They will have some support from Martin Zubimendi who will be the defensive midfielder. He will have Mikel Merino and Benat Turrientes in his support in the centre of the park.
The trio will look to ensure Madrid do not end up dictating the pace of the game. Takefusa Kubo and Ander Barrenetxea will feature on the flanks, they will provide width to their attacks, while Mikel Oyarzabal will be leading the line for the home team.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Remiro; Odriozola, Le Normand, Zubeldia, Galan; Benat, Zubimendi, Merino; Kubo, Oyarzabal, Barrenetxea
Real Madrid
The visitors will be without the services of David Alaba and Thibaut Courtois, who are out injured. Ferland Mendy who is struggling with a muscular problem is unlikely to be involved in this fixture.
Carlo Ancelotti will look to rest Mendy along with a few other important players for the UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg against Bayern Munich. It will be the 4-4-2 formation, where Andriy Lunin will continue in goal.
Dani Carvajal and Fran Garcia could be full-backs for this fixture. We could see Eder Militao get his first start in the heart of the defence since his return from injury. The Brazilian could pair up with Nacho.
Aurelien Tchouameni should be the defensive midfielder, and he should have the support of Luka Modric and Eduardo Camavinga in the midfielder. Federico Valverde and Toni Kroos are expected to be rested here.
Meanwhile, Jude Bellingham could still feature in this fixture from the start. But in attack, we could see a few changes with Joselu and Brahim Diaz featuring up top. Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo could both be on the bench.
Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Lunin; Carvajal, Militao, Nacho, Fran Garcia; Modric, Tchouameni, Camavinga; Bellingham; Diaz, Joselu
Key Stats
- Real Madrid have the best attack in La Liga this season (70 goals scored).
- Real Sociedad have the third-best defensive record in the league.
- Los Blancos have only suffered one defeat in the league campaign so far this season.
- The home team have been unbeaten in their last five matches.
- The reverse fixture at the Santiago Bernabeu ended 2-1 in favour of the team in white.
Player to Watch
Brahim Diaz
Diaz might not have had the best of starts to the 2023/24 season, but he has surely showcased his class in the second half of the season. Every time Carlo Ancelotti has asked him to step up, the 24-year-old attacking midfielder has not disappointed.
He has featured in 38 matches and has been on the pitch for just over 1,700 minutes. Despite his limited game time, Diaz has managed to score nine goals and also has five assists to his name. He has had a huge impact and the Italian manager will hope the 24-year-old gets it done for his team against Real Sociedad.
Prediction
Real Sociedad 1-3 Real Madrid
Real Sociedad might have been unbeaten in their last five league outings. But they are going to square up against the best team in the division who have been ruthless since the start.
The home team are heading into this fixture on the back of two disappointing draws, and they are going two square up against a team that will be high on confidence having gone past Manchester City and Barcelona in their last two outings. Los Blancos might come out on top in this fixture without much trouble. The Hard Tackle predicts a 3-1 win for the visitors.
