Real Sociedad vs Real Madrid Preview & Prediction | 2024-25 Spanish Primera
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It has been a difficult start to the campaign for Imanol Aguacil and Real Sociedad this weekend and they face a tough test as they welcome Real Madrid to the Basque Country, albeit Madrid have their own problems to find solutions for.
KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Saturday 14th September, 2024 - UK – 8:00pm / US ET – 3:00pm / US PT – 12:00pm
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN have the exclusive rights to La Liga games in the USA, so Real Sociedad vs Real Madrid may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN+
REAL SOCIEDAD PREVIEW: FINDING THE REAL LA REAL
In the last few seasons, Real Sociedad have been one of the most impressive sides in Spain with a UEFA Champions League qualification, Copa del Rey and consistent top six or seven finishes at the Anoeta. La Real, though, have endured a difficult summer and have now managed just one win in their opening four matches of the campaign.
Prior to the September international break, Real Sociedad shared a frustrating goalless draw against Getafe at the Coliseum in Madrid with defeats at home to both Rayo Vallecano and Deportivo Alaves before that sandwiching what was a much-needed slender 1-0 defeat of Espanyol at the RCDE Stadium in Barcelona in Catalonia.
REAL MADRID PREVIEW: MBAPPE’S MADRID
In their opening four matches of the 2024/25 La Liga campaign, Real Madrid have been relatively underwhelming with Los Blancos beginning the season with two victories and two draws. Madrid did begin the season with a UEFA Super Cup win and went into the international break on the back of a much-needed match and moment.
That moment came in two with Kylian Mbappe notching his first goals in La Liga as Carlo Ancelotti’s defending Spanish and European champions cruising to a comfortable 2-0 victory against Real Betis after draws in Majorca against Real Mallorca and the Canary Islands against Las Palmas sandwiching a 3-0 defeat of Real Valladolid when they were quite underwhelming.
REAL SOCIEDAD TEAM NEWS: MIKEL OYARZABAL MISSING
Spain’s UEFA EURO 2024 winning hero Mikel Oyarzabal has suffered an injury during the international break but La Roja remains out suspended for this one.
As well as him, Real Sociedad are also without quite a few key players such as defenders Ham Traore and Aritz Elustondo, sidelined alongside Brais Mendez.
PREDICTED XI (4-4-2): Alex Remiro; Aitor Munoz, Igor Zubeldia, Jon Pacheco, Jon Aramburu; Kubo, Martin Zubimendi, Sergio Gomez; Oskarsson, Sadiq
UNAVAILABLE: Traore (Injured), Aritz Elustondo (Injured), Brais Mendez (Injured), Zakharyan (Injured), Mikel Oyarzabal (Suspended)
QUESTIONABLE: Alvaro Odriozola (Injured), Ander Barrenetxea (Injured)
REAL MADRID TEAM NEWS: JUDE BACK BUT NO ALABA YET
England midfielder Jude Bellingham is set to be fit for this weekend after missing the last few weeks, whilst David Alaba remains unavailable but is nearing a return from an ACL injury.
There are quite a few key absentees for Los Blancos with Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga both out injured alongside Eder Militao and Ferland Mendy.
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Courtois; Lucas Vazquez, Dani Carvajal, Rudiger, Fran Garcia; Fede Valverde, Modric, Bellingham; Rodrygo, Mbappe, Vinicius Junior
UNAVAILABLE: Militao (Injured), Alaba (Injured), Mendy (Injured), Tchouameni (Injured), Camavinga (Injured), Dani Ceballos (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Jacobo Ramon (Injured)
REAL SOCIEDAD VS REAL MADRID PREDICTION
Real Sociedad are one of the most intense pressing teams in European football but have lacked an energy at the start of this season. That said, the international break may well have helped Imanol Aguacil’s side. Real Madrid will worry they could be exploited and suffocated with Bellingham adding to the left-sided confusion alongside Rodrygo, Mbappe and Vinicius. Given they also have quite a few defensive issues, a double chance bet in favour of the hosts could well be good value here.
REAL SOCIEDAD VS REAL MADRID TIP: DOUBLE CHANCE – REAL SOCIEDAD TO WIN OR DRAW
