Preview: Real Madrid vs. Real Sociedad - prediction, team news, lineups

Carlo Ancelotti's side are currently second in the table, three points behind leaders Barcelona, while Real Sociedad are third, only three points behind their opponents in the capital this weekend.

Match preview

Real Madrid have responded impressively to their 3-1 loss to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup on January 15, winning their last three in all competitions against Villarreal, Athletic Bilbao and Atletico Madrid.

Los Blancos fell behind to Atletico in Thursday's Copa del Rey quarter-final, but they went on to score three times without reply, twice in extra-time, to record a 3-1 victory and advance to the final four of the tournament.

Ancelotti's team were also 2-0 winners over Athletic Bilbao in La Liga last weekend, but they sit three points behind division leaders Barcelona, and the gap could become six ahead of kickoff here, as Xavi's side are in action on Saturday afternoon away to Girona.

Real Madrid are facing an incredibly busy few weeks, as they also have the Club World Cup to think about, with their semi-final fixture set to take place on February 8 ahead of a possible final three days later.

Los Blancos will also travel to Liverpool in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 affair on February 21, while they cannot afford any slip-ups in La Liga or the Copa del Rey if they are to lift more silverware.

Real Madrid have won their last two La Liga matches against Real Sociedad, while they are unbeaten at home to the Basque outfit in the league since January 2019; Ancelotti's side have also not lost at Bernabeu in La Liga this term, picking up 17 points from their seven matches.

Real Sociedad, meanwhile, will enter this match off the back of a 1-0 loss to Barcelona in the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey on Wednesday night, which proved to be their first defeat in any competition since the 1-0 reverse to Manchester United in the Europa League at the start of November.

In La Liga, the Basque side have won their last five matches against Sevilla, Osasuna, Almeria, Athletic Bilbao and Rayo Vallecano, which has allowed them to move into third spot in the table on 38 points.

Imanol Alguacil's side are only six points behind division leaders Barcelona and three from second-placed Real Madrid, so a victory in this match could potentially put them in the title argument.

The White and Blues have not finished in the top four since the 2012-13 campaign, so it would be a huge achievement to secure a Champions League spot, and they are currently seven points clear of fourth-placed Atletico, which is a strong cushion at this stage of the campaign.

Alguacil will be wary of what the loss to Barcelona could have done to the team's confidence, though, and they would not have wanted to have travelled to Real Madrid off the back of a loss at Camp Nou.

Real Sociedad have the third-best away record in Spain's top flight this season, picking up 21 points from nine matches, and they will be hopeful that the extra day of rest following the Copa del Rey quarter-finals could provide them an advantage in this match.

Real Madrid La Liga form:

D

L

W

W

L

W

Real Madrid form (all competitions):

L

W

L

W

W

W

Real Sociedad La Liga form:

D

W

W

W

W

W

Real Sociedad form (all competitions):

W

W

W

W

W

L

Team News

Real Madrid had been expected to welcome David Alaba back into their side against Atletico, but the centre-back was a late withdrawal from the squad through injury.

Alaba has allegedly suffered a setback in his recovery from a calf issue, which will again rule him out here, while Lucas Vazquez remains on the sidelines with an ankle problem.

Aurelien Tchouameni (calf), Eden Hazard (ankle) and Dani Carvajal (muscle) are pushing to return to the squad, but Ferland Mendy (thigh) and Rodrygo (Achilles) have emerged as fresh doubts following the Madrid derby.

Eduardo Camavinga could therefore get the nod at left-back, while Dani Ceballos may play alongside Toni Kroos and Luka Modric in midfield, with Federico Valverde starting on the right side of the attack.

As for Real Sociedad, a lengthy injury list includes Umar Sadiq, David Silva, Jon Pacheco, Mohamed Ali-Cho, Andoni Gorosabel, Mikel Merino, Ander Guevara, Alex Sola and Martin Merquelanz.

Brais Mendez was sent off against Barcelona in the Copa del Rey, but the suspension does not relate to the league, so the Spaniard will be in the starting XI for this match.

The same side that took to the field for the first whistle against Xavi's team could start again here, with Mikel Oyarzabal potentially joining Alexander Sorloth in the final third of the field.

Real Madrid possible starting lineup:

Courtois; Nacho, Militao, Rudiger, Camavinga; Kroos, Ceballos, Modric; Valverde, Benzema, Vinicius

Real Sociedad possible starting lineup:

Remiro; Elustondo, Zubeldia, Le Normand, Rico; Mendez, Zubimendi, Marin; Kubo; Oyarzabal, Sorloth

We say: Real Madrid 2-1 Real Sociedad

This has all the makings of an excellent match, and Real Madrid could be six points behind Barcelona heading into the contest, which would pile the pressure on the hosts. Real Sociedad will fancy their chances of claiming a positive result due to their excellent run of form, but we just have a feeling that Real Madrid will be able to navigate their way to an important three points on Sunday night.

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