Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad Prediction - Time For Los Blancos To Avenge Last August's Defeat

Next Saturday, 31st of January 2015, the current European and World champions, Real Madrid, will entertain David Moyes’ Real Sociedad at the emblematic Santiago Bernabéu for round 21 of the Spanish Liga BBVA, on a match that Los Blancos surely want to win after what happened at Anoeta last August, when they suffered a heavy 4-2 defeat.

It is fair to say that Real Madrid are probably not going through the most impressive moments of the season. Their recent pale performances have cost them some setbacks, especially for the Copa del Rey, from where they were prematurely eliminated by their neighbours and rivals of Atlético two weeks ago. Last Saturday, Real travelled to Andalusia to measure forces with Córdoba and had to dig very deep in order to secure the three points. A narrow 2-1 win, thanks to a late Gareth Bale’s goal from the penalty spot, was the best Los Blancos managed to achieve, on a match during which Cristiano Ronaldo was sent off due to unsportsmanlike conduct on the 82’ minute. The Portuguese superstar kicked Córdoba’s Brazilian defender Edimar inside the box and was immediately sent off by the referee, forcing his team to play with just 10 men when the score was still 1-1.

Real Madrid experienced several difficulties to cope with Córdoba’s early goal and ended up producing yet another lowkey display that almost caused them another major upset. The upcoming clash against Real Sociedad at Bernabéu will probably not be that complicated, given the visitors’ poor form away from home this season. Los Blancos will not be able to count on their brightest star, Cristiano Ronaldo, because of suspension and it is also not likely that both Pepe and Luka Modric recover in time for the clash against the Basque team.

As for Real Sociedad, they have been having a poor overall performance so far this season and they are currently on the second half of the table with 22 points from 20 matches. The arrival of the Scottish manager David Moyes caused some slight improvements in the team, but although they appear to be more consistent now, they still have a long way to go in order to match the performances of their recent past seasons.

For Real Sociedad’s trip to Bernabéu, the former Everton and Manchester United’s manager is not yet certain if he will be able to rely on the services of Bergara and Martinez, both currently sidelined due to injury.

Despite some unconvincing recent performances, Real Madrid are firm favourites for the next Saturday’s match and although the visitors are motivated after their last weekend’s Basque Country’s derby win over Eibar, they probably still don’t have what is needed to upset Los Blancos at Bernabéu.

Real Madrid

Stats: W-3 L-1 D-1

Recent Form - WWDWL

Real Sociedad

Stats: W-1 L-2 D-2

Recent Form - WLDDL

Possible Line-ups

Real Madrid (4-3-3) - Casillas - Carvajal - Varane - Sergio Ramos - Marcelo - Khedira - Kroos - James Rodríguez - Isco - Bale - Benzema

Real Sociedad (4-2-3-1) - Rulli - Elustondo - Ansotegui - I. Martínez - Berchiche - Granero - Pardo - Canales - Prieto - Vela - Agirretxe

Prediction

Real Madrid 3 Real Sociedad 1