La Liga leaders Real Madrid will look to build on their impressive start to the season when they hit the road to face Real Sociedad.
Sergio Francisco’s Real Sociedad will be eager to register their first win of the season when they resume their La Liga campaign post the international break with a home game against Real Madrid at the Reale Arena.
The home team have endured a very disappointing start to the new season. They played back-to-back draws against Valencia and Espanyol in the first two outings before suffering a defeat against the newly promoted Real Oviedo.
Despite dominating the ball and creating a lot of chances, La Real failed to find the back of the net and ended up losing 1-0. Francisco’s team will have to put up a much better performance against Real Madrid to stand a chance of causing an upset.
Meanwhile, Los Blancos have been on a roll in the new season. They sit at the top of the table with three wins in their first three outings. Xabi Alonso’s team are slowly getting back to their best and have put in an improved performance every time they have taken the field.
The team in white secured a 2-1 win over RCD Mallorca in their last outing prior to the break. While they conceded early, they bounced back and secured a rather comfortable win. Xabi Alonso’s men will be eager to build on it and strengthen their position at the top. 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
Summer signing Yangel Herrera will be unavailable for the home team because of an injury. Meanwhile, Orri Oskarsson’s availability is a major doubt for this outing. There are unlikely to be any major surprises in Real Sociedad’s lineup against Real Madrid.
The home side will go ahead with the 4-5-1 formation, where Alex Remiro will feature in between the sticks. Jon Aramburu and Aihen Munoz should start as the full-backs, while Igor Zubeldia will partner with Duje Caleta-Car in the heart of the defence.
Takefusa Kubo and Ander Barrenetxea will provide much-needed width to their attacks, but they will also look to support the full-backs against the Madrid wide players. In the centre of the park, Brais Mendez will start alongside Jon Gorrotxategi and Pablo Marin.
The trio will look to ensure that Madrid midfielders do not dominate the ball too deep in their half. Meanwhile, Spanish international Mikel Oyarzabal will continue to lead the line for Real Sociedad against Real Madrid on Saturday.
Probable Lineup (4-5-1): Remiro; Aramburu, Zubeldia, Caleta-Car, Munoz; Kubo, Mendez, Gorrotxategi, Marin, Barrenetxea; Oyarzabal
Real Madrid
The Spanish giants did not report any fresh injuries during the international break, but they do remain without the services of Jude Bellingham, Endrick, Ferland Mendy, and Eduardo Camavinga.
While Xabi Alonso has rotated his players in the initial fixtures, he could go ahead with the same XI that started in their last outing. He will certainly stick with the 4-3-3 formation, where Thibaut Courtois will be in goal.
Trent Alexander-Arnold could retain his place as the right-back. While he will take charge on the right flank, Alvaro Carreras should feature on the left wing. In the heart of the defence, Eder Militao could start alongside summer signing Dean Huijsen.
As for the midfield unit, Aurelien Tchouameni will take up the holding role with Federico Valverde and Arda Guler in his support. The trio will look to dictate the pace of the game and ensure they dominate the proceedings.
Franco Mastantuono could once again be given the nod ahead of Rodrygo Goes on the right flank, while Vinicius will continue on the left. In form, Kylian Mbappe will spearhead the Real Madrid attack against Real Sociedad this weekend.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Courtois; Alexander-Arnold, Militao, Huijsen, Carreras; Valverde, Tchouameni, Guler; Mastantuono, Mbappe, Vinicius
Key Stats
- Real Sociedad are yet to win a game in the new season, while Real Madrid have won all three of their league outings.
- Sociedad could only manage an 11th-place finish last season, which was their lowest since 2018.
- Los Blancos have bagged six goals in their first three outings and have only conceded once.
- Real Madrid and Athletic Bilbao are the only teams to have maintained a 100% record in La Liga.
- The team in white have won 102 out of their last 183 matches against Sociedad in all competitions.
Player to Watch
Franco Mastantuono
The 18-year-old Argentine international has had a sensational start to life at Real Madrid. He has been involved in all three of their league games and has racked up 151 minutes. While he is yet to contribute towards a goal, Mastantuono has been a constant threat to the opposition defenders.
The teenage playmaking sensation is not afraid to demand the ball in crowded areas, and he is always looking to take on the defenders. Given the kind of impact he has had so far, the River Plate graduate should soon get his first goal for the team in white.
Prediction
Real Sociedad 0-3 Real Madrid
Real Madrid look well poised to extend their unbeaten run when they take on a struggling Real Sociedad side at the Reale Arena. Xabi Alonso’s men have been in commanding form, showing tactical maturity and attacking intent in all three of their opening fixtures.
On the other hand, Real Sociedad’s attempts to find their first win of the campaign will face a stern test. Despite creating chances against Valencia and Espanyol, they have struggled to convert opportunities, and their defence looks vulnerable under sustained pressure. The Hard Tackle predicts a 3-0 win for the visitors.
