Real Madrid face Real Sociedad at the Santiago Bernabeu this Sunday at 21:00 in Spain. It’s matchday five of La Liga with both sides playing their final domestic matches before they kick off their respective 2023/24 UEFA Champions League campaigns.
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Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad H2H Record
There have been 163 meetings previously between the clubs in all competitions and this will be the 153rd time they meet in the league.
- Real Madrid Wins: 88
- Draws: 41
- Real Sociedad Wins: 33
While Real Madrid have enjoyed the better of the fixture over the course of history, La Real have been more competitive in recent years which is worth considering when it comes to the Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad H2H predictions. They’ve won on 2 of their last 6 visits to the Santiago Bernabeu including a thrilling 4-3 Copa del Rey win when Alexander Isak played a starring role.
Last time out…
These sides last met in May with Real Sociedad emerging 2-0 victors over Real Madrid at the Reale Arena. Goals from Take Kubo and Ander Barrenetxea sealed the points with the result a major step in the direction of Champions League qualification.
Real Madrid did have Dani Carvajal sent off that night though and they fielded a rotated team with the Champions League showdown against Manchester City on the horizon.
Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad H2H: Potential MVP
There’s only one name on the lips of Real Madrid fans right now and that’s Jude Bellingham. The Englishman has made a stunning start to life in Spain by scoring in all of his opening four matches in La Liga.
There have been some absolutely vital goals too with Bellingham netting late winners away to Celta Vigo and last time out on his home debut against Getafe when the 20 year old pounced on a goalkeeping error to score in the 95th minute.
Jobe and Jude Bellingham each won the August Player of the Month awards for Sunderland and Real Madrid 🏆
It's a Bellingham thing 😤 pic.twitter.com/0Sfz78nAKP
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) September 11, 2023
Bellingham is the main reason why Real Madrid are top of La Liga with the division’s only remaining 100% record. However tougher tests lie ahead with a big week coming up for Los Blancos.
The former Borussia Dortmund man comes up against Real Sociedad for the first time here before matches against Union Berlin and Atletico Madrid over the next seven days.
Real Madrid: Players in focus
Kepa eager to impress
With Thibaut Courtois a long-term injury absentee, Kepa is hoping to show he can be a capable deputy. This will be his third start and it could be the busiest outing yet for the Chelsea loanee.
Joselu set to fill in for Vini again
With Vini Junior injured, Joselu is likely to partner Rodrygo in attack once more. He scored against Getafe last time out but has only netted once in 9 previous games against Real Sociedad.
Another chance for Toni Kroos?
Toni Kroos has fallen out of favour with Carlo Ancelotti favouring a younger midfield quartet this term. However with Fede Valverde jetting back from a busy international break in South America, the German may get the nod here.
Real Sociedad: Players in focus
Red hot Kubo faces his old team
Real Sociedad’s star so far this season has been Take Kubo. The Japanese international has scored 3 and assisted 1 in La Liga 2023/24 and this will be his 9th appearance against former club Real Madrid.
A big challenge for Kieran Tierney
Kieran Tierney was thrown straight into the Real Sociedad starting eleven after completing his loan from Arsenal. He should get the nod again on Sunday at the Bernabeu.
Odriozola to make debut on his old ground?
Alvaro Odriozola could make his second Real Sociedad debut against the club he has just left with the full-back signing a six-year deal at the Reale Arena on deadline day.
Final Prediction
Real Sociedad have shown they can be a match for Real Madrid, taking 4 points off them last season in La Liga. They produced their best performance of the season so far a fortnight ago with five goals against Granada and look capable of potentially getting a result here against a Real Madrid side that is missing some key men.
We’re going with a 1-1 draw with Take Kubo to score the first goal.
