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

Real Madrid will be looking to make it five La Liga victories in a row when they continue their domestic campaign at home to Real Sociedad on Monday night.

Los Blancos are currently second in the table, three points behind leaders Atletico Madrid, while Real Sociedad are fifth in the division, seven points off fourth-placed Sevilla.

Match preview

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Madrid have been hit with a number of injuries at a key stage of the season, but the La Liga champions have managed to secure five straight wins in all competitions, including an excellent 1-0 success away to Atalanta BC in the first leg of their last-16 Champions League clash on Wednesday night.

Los Blancos also ran out 1-0 winners in the league last weekend, with Casemiro 's second-half effort proving enough to overcome Real Valladolid at Estadio Municipal Jose Zorrilla.

Zinedine Zidane 's side are currently second in the table, just three points behind leaders Atletico, who still have a game in hand; the capital rivals will lock horns in Spain's top flight next weekend, and Atletico will be desperate to enter the contest off the back of a win over Villarreal, having dropped off slightly in recent matches.

Third-placed Barcelona will actually have the chance to go above Madrid on Saturday afternoon when they face Sevilla, but a win for Los Blancos in this game would leave them in a strong position ahead of the capital derby at Wanda Metropolitano.

Zidane's side recorded a 3-1 victory over Real Sociedad when the two teams locked horns in the corresponding match last term, but the pair played out a goalless draw in San Sebastian earlier this season.

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Real Sociedad, meanwhile, will enter Monday's clash off the back of a goalless draw with Manchester United in the second leg of their Europa League last-32 contest on Thursday night.

The Basque outfit were much improved from the first leg of the clash in Turin but ultimately lost 4-0 on aggregate as they exited the competition, and they now have four straight league matches before facing Athletic Bilbao in the rearranged 2020 Copa del Rey final at the start of April.

Imanol Alguacil 's side are on a run of three straight league victories, beating Cadiz and Getafe before recording an impressive 4-0 home success over Alaves last weekend.

La Real are currently fifth in the table, four points clear of sixth-placed Villarreal, and they will be determined to hold off the threat of the Yellow Submarine and Real Betis to secure a top-five finish.

Real Sociedad are not completely out of the running for the top four but sit seven points off fourth-placed Sevilla, who have a game in hand, and Julen Lopetegui 's side are enjoying another strong campaign.

Real Madrid La Liga form: WLWWWW

Real Madrid form (all competitions): LWWWWW

Real Sociedad La Liga form: LDDWWW

Real Sociedad form (all competitions): DWWLWD

Team News

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Madrid's injury list, as mentioned, is still substantial, with Rodrygo Goes, Dani Carvajal, Sergio Ramos, Eden Hazard, Eder Militao, Alvaro Odriozola and Federico Valverde all unavailable for selection.

Karim Benzema and Marcelo have both made progress in their recoveries, but Monday's game is expected to come too soon, with Benzema being saved for the Madrid derby.

As a result, Zidane could decide to select the same XI that started against Atalanta in the Champions League, with Isco operating as the false nine between Marco Asensio and Vinicius Junior.

As for Real Sociedad, Luca Sangalli, Miguel Moya and Joseba Zaldua are still injured, while Aritz Elustondo is unlikely to be cleared to play as he recovers from an ankle problem.

Mikel Merino is suspended due to the yellow card that he picked up against Alaves, meaning that Jon Guridi could feature in midfield, while Portu is expected to keep out Adnan Januzaj in attack.

David Silva was not involved in Thursday's Europa League clash with Man United but should be back in the side here, while Asier Illarramendi and Nacho Monreal are also expected to return.

Real Madrid possible starting lineup:

Courtois; Vazquez, Nacho, Varane, Mendy; Modric, Casemiro, Kroos; Asensio, Isco, Vinicius

Real Sociedad possible starting lineup:

Remiro; Gorosabel, Zubeldia, Le Normand, Monreal; D Silva, Illarramendi, Guridi; Portu, Isak, Oyarzabal

We say: Real Madrid 2-1 Real Sociedad

This has all of the makings of a very interesting game, with both teams desperate for all three points. Madrid's injury situation certainly hands Real Sociedad an opportunity to triumph, but Zidane's side were impressive against Atalanta, and we are expecting the champions to shade a very close contest.

Top tip

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