Real Madrid will be bidding to make it five wins from their opening five matches of the 2023-24 La Liga campaign when they welcome Real Sociedad to Bernabeu on Sunday night.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side are top of the pile with 12 points, while Real Sociedad – also unbeaten this term – are eighth, boasting six points from their opening four matches of the campaign.
Real Madrid have not exactly been playing Champagne Football in the early stages of the season, but they have been very effective, picking up four straight wins over Athletic Bilbao, Almeria, Celta Vigo and Getafe to sit at the top of the table, two points clear of second-placed Girona.
Jude Bellingham has been the star of the show thus far, coming up with five goals in his first four appearances, including a late, late winner against Getafe before the international break.
Los Blancos are bidding to regain the La Liga title from Barcelona this season, while they will begin their Champions League group-stage campaign next week with a home game against Union Berlin.
There is then the small matter of a Madrid derby against Atletico Madrid in La Liga, with Ancelotti’s side heading to the wonderful Wanda Metropolitano stadium on September 24.
The international break came at the wrong time for Los Blancos considering their start to the season, and the team will be keen to show that their momentum has not been interrupted.
Real Madrid have only won two of their last six La Liga matches against Real Sociedad, though, and they suffered a 2-0 defeat when the two teams last met in May.
Real Sociedad claimed a point at Bernabeu last season, meanwhile, and the Basque outfit also have a recent away league win over Real Madrid to their name, triumphing 2-0 during the 2018-19 campaign.
Imanol Alguacil’s side are unbeaten this season, picking up six points from their four matches, which has left them in eighth position in the table heading into the next set of fixtures.
Real Sociedad drew three straight games against Girona, Celta Vigo and Las Palmas in August, before recording their first victory before the international break, beating Granada 5-3 on home soil.
The White and Blues, who finished fourth in La Liga last season, were actually 5-1 up against Granada before the visitors threatened a late comeback, but they managed to secure a vital three points.
Like Real Madrid, Real Sociedad will begin their Champions League group-stage campaign next week, with the Basque outfit set to take on Inter Milan in their section opener.
Real Madrid have been hit with injuries to some key players early this season, with Eder Militao, Thibaut Courtois, Arda Guler and Vinicius Junior currently on the sidelines.
Ferland Mendy and Dani Ceballos have also both been out in the opening weeks of the campaign, but the pair are now back in full training and could therefore be included in the squad for this match.
There are not expected to be any major surprises in the home side’s XI here, as Vinicius’s recent issue has opened the door for Joselu to feature alongside Rodrygo in a front two.
Bellingham will again play ahead of the midfield, which is unlikely to include either Luka Modric or Toni Kroos, while Fran Garcia is set to be given another start at left-back.
Real Sociedad, meanwhile, will be missing Martin Merquelanz and Andre Silva for the contest with Ancelotti’s side in the Spanish capital.
Umar Sadiq is expected to shake off a knock to make himself available, but Mikel Oyarzabal could operate as the centre-forward, which was the case against Granada last time out.
Head coach Alguacil may decide to select the same XI from the team’s match before the international break, with Takefusa Kubo, who netted a brace against Granada, set to face his former club.
Real Madrid possible starting lineup:
Kepa; Carvajal, Rudiger, Alaba, Garcia; Valverde, Tchouameni, Camavinga; Bellingham; Rodrygo, Joselu
Real Sociedad possible starting lineup:
Remiro; Traore, Zubeldia, Le Normand, Tierney; Mendez, Zubimendi, Merino; Kubo, Oyarzabal, Barrenetxea
We say: Real Madrid 2-1 Real Sociedad
This has all of the makings of an excellent match, and we are expecting Real Sociedad to make this a very uncomfortable evening for Real Madrid. It would not be a surprise to see a draw here, but we just have a feeling that Los Blancos will be able to navigate their way to another important three points.
