Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad 07/01/19

07 January 2019

After opening 2019 with a disappointing 2-2 away draw with Villarreal, Real Madrid will welcome Real Sociedad to the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu looking to return to winning ways immediately.

Santi Cazorla’s late equalizer in midweek has brought Los Blancos’ three-game La Liga winning run to an end as they now trail Barcelona by seven points. That’s why the encounter with Real Sociedad emerges as a must-win game for Santiago Solari’s men, who have won their last three home La Liga meetings without conceding a single goal. Real Madrid’s problems in the final third have seen the score just 13 goals in eight home clashes this term, averaging 1.63 goals scored per match, with Los Merengues scoring one goal or less in four games in front of the local supporters so far. However, the reigning European holders have won their last nine home meetings with Real Sociedad, scoring over 2.5 goals eight times in the process.

On the other hand, the visitors are desperate to end a four-game La Liga losing streak that has seen the Royal failing to hit the back of the net three times during the run. The Whites and Blues have been dealing with numerous ups and downs throughout the season, but they’ve still managed to accumulate 13 points on the road (W4, D1, L4), seven more than they’ve collected at home. Still, Imanol Alguacil’s players have lost on three out of their last four road LL trips, failing to score in each. What’s more, the Basque-based outfit struggled to keep a clean sheet in six consecutive outings in all competitions although conceded over 1.5 goals per match just twice in the process.

It will be a daunting prospect for Real Sociedad to pick up a victory against Real Madrid as their last win against the Madrid giants dates back to 2004, with Los Blancos winning 19 out of last 22 H2H meetings with the Basque side.

Provisional line-up – Real Madrid:

Gk: Courtois Defense: Marcelo – Varane – Sergio Ramos – Carvajal Midfield: Casemiro – Kroos – Modric Attack: Lucas Vasquez – Bale – Benzema

Provisional line-up – Real Sociedad:

Gk: Moya Defense: Elustondo – Diego Llorente – Hector Moreno – Theo Hernandez Midfield: Illaramendi – Zurutuza – Januzaj – Oyarzabal Attack: Juanmi – Willian Jose