Real Madrid
vs
Real Sociedad
Kick-off
19:45 GMT
29 January 2017
The Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad match will be played on Sunday, January 29th, 2017 at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu in Madrid. This is matchday 20 of the 2016/17 Primera División season. Real Madrid are 1st with 43 points while Real Sociedad are 4th with 35 points.
The two sides met in San Sebastian in August when Real Madrid won 3-0.
Real Sociedad has won just one of the last 10 league meetings, 4-2 in August 2014 (D1, L8). Sociedad’s last win in the Bernabeu was in May 2004 when they won 4-1 (D1, L8) Head to head matchess in LaLiga: Real Madrid - Real Sociedad
21.08.2016
LaLi
Real Sociedad
Real Madrid
0:3
One win in 4 is the sign of a crisis at the Bernabeu. Following their record-breaking unbeaten run, a wobble was to be expected and now Zinedine Zidane’s task is to steady the ship.
A win over Malaga and a draw against Celta in Vigo suggests moves in the right direction, even if the latter wasn’t enough to overturn the defeat suffered in the first leg of their Copa Del Rey quarter-final.
Los Blancos are more concerned with their lead at the top of the table being cut to one point with Sevilla on 42 points, one ahead of 3rd-place Barcelona.
Injuries are biting deep with Gareth Bale, Dani Carvajal, Pepe, Luka Modric, Marcelo and James Rodriguez all missing, and Raphael Varane doubtful for the match.
Those absences mean Danilo and Nacho form the full back partnership while Kovacevic will replace Modric. At least they have Cristiano Ronaldo; there’s always the chance of scoring more goals than you concede! Latest matches: Real Madrid
25.01.2017
Copa
Celta de Vigo
Real Madrid
2:2
D
21.01.2017
LaLi
Real Madrid
Malaga CF
2:1
W
18.01.2017
Copa
Real Madrid
Celta de Vigo
1:2
L
15.01.2017
LaLi
Sevilla FC
Real Madrid
2:1
L
12.01.2017
Copa
Sevilla FC
Real Madrid
3:3
D
Carlos Martínez and Markel Bergara are the main injuries Sociedad has to contend with, although Zaldúa is a doubt for the trip to the Spanish capital.
For Asier Illarramendi, it’s a chance to show the Madrid public what they are missing as he returns to the centre of the Sociedad midfield following suspension. With Yuri dropping out due to a one-match ban, Hector is expected to start at left back.
Sociedad are in a battle with Atletico Madrid for the final Champions League place and holding onto their current top 4 slot would be a tremendous achievement.
Much depends on how the Txuriurdin reacts to the 5-2 midweek mauling they received at the hands of Barcelona and Leo Messi.
In a delicious irony, Sociedad beat Celta Vigo 1-0 in their match immediately before losing in Barcelona. The derby element of that will bolster their belief; it’s a question of how much damage the Camp Nou hammering did.
There are usually plenty of goals in this clash and current form suggests nothing different this time around. Latest matches: Real Sociedad
26.01.2017
Copa
FC Barcelona
Real Sociedad
5:2
L
22.01.2017
LaLi
Real Sociedad
Celta de Vigo
1:0
W
19.01.2017
Copa
Real Sociedad
FC Barcelona
0:1
L
16.01.2017
LaLi
Malaga CF
Real Sociedad
0:2
W
11.01.2017
Copa
Villarreal CF
Real Sociedad
1:1
D
All of the attention is on Real Madrid this weekend. They have been reeled in by the chasing pack, with Sevilla and Barcelona waiting to pounce on any mistakes. Even though they lost on aggregate, Los Blancos will take the draw in Vigo as a sign that form is turning around.
29 January 2017 - 19:45 GMT
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