Real Sociedad vs Real Madrid

Reale Arena is the venue as Real Sociedad and Real Madrid go head-to-head in a handsomely-looking La Liga ‘top-four six-pointer.’

Real Sociedad’s Champions League return for the first time since 2012/13 looks like a near-certainty after Real Sociedad eased past Osasuna 2-0 at the weekend to move five points clear in fourth. Since a 2-0 loss to bitter Basque rivals Athletic Bilbao in mid-April, Imanol Alguacil’s men have stitched together three straight league matches without losing (W2, D1), a run featuring back-to-back clean sheets in the build-up to this fixture. Defensive resilience could be of utmost significance in this match-up, considering ‘La Real’ have drawn a blank in their last two home league encounters against Real Madrid (D1, L1). Sociedad can find courage in an eye-catching three-match winning league streak on home turf and the fact they registered two shutouts in this run.

Meanwhile, crippled by suspensions and injuries, Real Madrid will be looking to build on an overwhelming 4-2 home win over Almeria last weekend and seal Champions League qualification with five games to spare. With a long-awaited Copa del Rey title decider against Osasuna around the corner, Carlo Ancelotti may opt to rest some first-team regulars against a Sociedad side his men haven’t lost to in any of their last three H2Hs in San Sebastian (W2, D1). Yet after succumbing to a dreadful 4-2 defeat to promoted Girona on their most recent La Liga travel, ‘Los Merengues’ risk losing consecutive away league matches for the first time this term. Vinicius Junior’s absence to a yellow-card ban could be a good omen, with Madrid winning all three competitive games without the Brazilian in the matchday squad in 2022/23.