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As the battle for La Liga supremacy heats up, Real Madrid are already trailing behind their fierce rivals, Barcelona. They face a crucial challenge this Saturday when they travel to San Sebastian to take on Real Sociedad. The reigning champions of Spain have stumbled in their away form, failing to secure victories in their first two road matches. Meanwhile, Barcelona sits comfortably atop the league. Real Madrid will be eager to turn the tide and cut the gap, especially with their Champions League defence kicking off against Stuttgart just days later. Real Sociedad, on the other hand, have also had a rocky start and will be desperate to put up a fight at home, hoping to pull off an upset against their formidable visitors.
Match Details:
- Date: Saturday, 14 September 2024
- Kick-off Time: 00:45 NST / 15:00 ET / 12:00 PT
- Venue: Reale Arena, San Sebastian, Spain
- Referee: Juan Martinez Munuera
- VAR: Alejandro Hernandez Hernandez
Head-to-Head Record (Last 5 Games):
- Real Sociedad: 1 win
- Real Madrid: 3 wins
- Draws: 1
Real Sociedad Team News
Real Sociedad has endured a shaky start to their La Liga campaign, managing only a win and a draw from their first four games. They will be hoping to reverse their recent poor fortunes against Real Madrid, who bested them twice last season.
There’s some encouraging news for Sociedad as star winger Mikel Oyarzabal, who was feared to have picked up a serious injury while on international duty, may return in time for this match. However, the team is still missing several key players, including Brais Mendez, Hamari Traore, Aritz Elustondo, and Arsen Zakharyan, who remain sidelined. Álvaro Odriozola is doubtful against his former club, but Ander Barrenetxea is expected to play a significant role.
Predicted Real Sociedad Lineup (4-4-2):
- Goalkeeper: Remiro
- Defenders: Munoz, Zubeldia, Pacheco, Aramburu
- Midfielders: Kubo, Zubimendi, Turrientes, Barrenetxea
- Forwards: Becker, Sadiq
Real Madrid Team News
Carlo Ancelotti faces a tricky situation ahead of the weekend, with several key players picking up injuries during the international break. Eder Militao's status remains uncertain due to a knee issue, while Ferland Mendy and Aurelien Tchouameni pulled out of France’s squad due to injury concerns. Both players face late fitness tests, though Mendy is expected to feature.
In addition to these concerns, Real Madrid will be without Dani Ceballos, Eduardo Camavinga, and David Alaba, who are still recovering. On a brighter note, Jude Bellingham could return after missing the past few matches, offering a boost in midfield for the visitors.
Predicted Real Madrid Lineup (4-2-3-1):
- Goalkeeper: Courtois
- Defenders: Carvajal, Rudiger, Militao, Mendy
- Midfielders: Valverde, Modric; Rodrygo, Bellingham, Vinicius
- Forward: Mbappe