La Liga: Can Sociedad Finally Get the Measure of Real Madrid?

Real Sociedad vs Real Madrid

Without a doubt, the marquee matchup of the upcoming La Liga midweek schedule is the top-four clash between Real Sociedad and Real Madrid at the Reale Arena.

La Real are close to clinching a fourth-place finish – and Champions League football – for the first time in a decade. They currently have a five-point lead over Villarreal with just six matches remaining in the season.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid still have work to do to secure second spot as Atletico Madrid remain hot on their heels.

The La Liga 2023 betting odds have Real Sociedad favoured at home, but Los Blancos have gotten the better of La Real in recent years.

Talking Points

Kubo coming on strong for La Real

It has been a shaky last few months for Real Sociedad. After going on eight- and nine-game winning streaks in all competitions earlier in the season, Imanol Alguacil’s side have failed to claim back-to-back victories for three months.

Although, their league form is showing signs of improvement. They have won four of their last seven games, with two defeats and one draw to keep their hold on fourth place. They took care of Osasuna 2-0 last time out to extend their current unbeaten run to three games since losing the second Basque Derby of the season.

But while La Real’s form has fluctuated in recent months, their home record has mostly stayed consistently good. They have lost just once at the Reale Arena during this calendar year, with four wins, two draws, and a defeat.

Takefusa Kubo is having a strong end to the season. The Japanese starlet – and former Real Madrid youngster – has scored three goals in his last seven games and is up to seven goals this year.

Sociedad have needed Kubo’s production as Alexander Sorloth and Mikel Oyarzabal have struggled to produce too many La Liga 2023 highlights. Sorloth, the team’s leading scorer with 10 goals, has scored just once in his last 11 league appearances for La Real. Meanwhile, Oyarzabal is no better with just one in nine.

Real Madrid facing key absentees

After suffering that shock 4-2 defeat to Girona last week, Real Madrid were back on the right end of a 4-2 scoreline as they thumped Almeria at the Bernabeu. The win kept Real two points clear of rivals Atletico Madrid for second place in the La Liga standings.

Karim Benzema scored a first-half hat-trick to put the game to bed early, while Rodrygo added another just two minutes into the second half.

The score could have been even higher had substitute Marco Asensio not been so unlucky in hitting the woodwork twice.

And Real suffered even more back luck as both Vinicius Jr and Eduardo Camavinga picked up yellow cards that will see them suspended against Real Sociedad.

Those two will add to Carlo Ancelotti’s growing list of absences, which already includes midfielder Luka Modric and defender David Alaba. Nacho is likely to fill in at left-back, while Asensio will almost surely start in attack alongside Benzema and Rodrygo, who starred in their Champions League second leg win over Chelsea.

Asensio has been one of Real’s in-form players of late; he has three goals and two assists in his last six games.

History

Real Madrid have run roughshod over Sociedad in recent years. Los Blancos own a commanding 18-3 edge in wins, with four draws over their last 25 La Liga meetings.

Real Madrid are currently riding a seven-match unbeaten run against Sociedad, with four wins and three draws. Although, Sociedad did hold Real to a goalless draw at the Bernabeu in their first meeting this season.

Betting Tip

SBOTOP odds have Real Sociedad installed as slight favourites to win this top-four showdown at home. Real Madrid are priced at 2.77, while a draw is 3.15.

The absence of Vinicius Jr will be a huge blow for Real. The Brazilian has been brilliant all season long, and his absence will drastically cut the supply of chances to Benzema.

Vini’s absence will give La Real a great shot at ending their winless run against Real Madrid. But Los Blancos will still be tough to beat, and I suspect they can still escape Reale Arena with a point.

 

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