Real Madrid vs. Real Sociedad: Preview, Predictions and Lineups

Santiago Bernabéu is bracing for a Saturday-night shootout that could reshape the La Liga title race, as Real Madrid welcome a surging Real Sociedad side that has not tasted defeat in nine outings under American coach Pellegrino Matarazzo. With Barcelona reeling from a bruising Copa del Rey loss at Atlético Madrid, Madrid—one point behind the leaders—see a gilt-edged chance to vault to the summit, yet the league’s form team stands squarely in their path.

Álvaro Arbeloa’s squad rediscovered momentum last weekend, dispatching Valencia at Mestalla with a poise that contrasted sharply with the jittery win over Rayo Vallecano a fortnight earlier. The manager will reintroduce Vinicius Junior after suspension and, crucially, retains Kylian Mbappé despite mid-week fitness concerns. Jude Bellingham’s hamstring issue, however, sidelines the England midfielder, while defenders Éder Militão and forward Rodrygo remain unavailable.

Arbeloa must decide whether to reinstate Trent Alexander-Arnold—fresh from his own return in Valencia—or stick with 20-year-old David Jiménez, whose composed display on the right has given the coaching staff food for thought. A 4-2-3-1 is expected, with Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni anchoring midfield, and young Argentine Franco Mastantuono potentially continuing his audacious cameo behind a front three of Arda Güler, Vinicius, and Mbappé.

Across the touchline, Matarazzo has orchestrated a renaissance that has yielded 2.3 points per match since his December arrival, hoisting La Real to eighth and to the cusp of a Copa del Rey final after a mid-week derby triumph over Athletic Club. The Basques will arrive on a high, yet fatigue could force rotation: Orri Óskarsson, Igor Zubeldia and former Madrid right-back Álvaro Odriozola are pressing for starts after being spared the full 90 minutes on Wednesday. Takefusa Kubo (hamstring) and goalkeeper Unai Marrero (cheekbone) remain out, while Luka Sučić and Ander Barrenetxea are unlikely to be risked.

Matarazzo’s preferred 4-4-2 is expected to pivot on captain Mikel Oyarzabal’s creativity and Óskarsson’s physicality up front, with the double pivot of Beñat Turrientes and Jon Gorrotxategi entrusted to disrupt Madrid’s build-up before springing the rapid counter that has become La Real’s calling card.

The tactical chess match is tantalising: Madrid, more structured in recent weeks without a galaxy of stars, now reintegrate elite firepower that could, paradoxically, leave pockets for Sociedad to exploit. The visitors have scored in eight of their nine fixtures under Matarazzo; Madrid, shorn of Bellingham’s ball-winning, could be vulnerable to late raids.

A high-stakes, high-scoring affair beckons. Expect Sociedad to land blows on the break, and expect Madrid to need a moment of individual brilliance—or a late Bernabéu surge—to avoid relinquishing ground in a title fight that suddenly looks wide open.

Predicted lineups Real Madrid (4-2-3-1): Courtois; Alexander-Arnold, Asencio, Huijsen, Carreras; Tchouaméni, Valverde; Mastantuono, Güler, Vinicius Junior; Mbappé.

Real Sociedad (4-4-2): Remiro; Odriozola, Martín, Zubeldia, Muñoz; Marin, Turrientes, Gorrotxategi, Gómez; Óskarsson, Oyarzabal.