Prediction: Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad

Verdict: Both teams to score – yes

Best Odds: 16/25

Bookmaker: 888sport

Only two points separate Real Madrid and Real Sociedad ahead of this thrilling LaLiga matchup. While Los Merengues are tied at the top of the standings with FC Barcelona, the Donostiarra side are two points back and know they would move to first place if they pull the upset and steal the three points from Santiago Bernabeu. Kick-off for this match has been scheduled at 20:00 GMT.

Real Madrid

Los Merengues have not been playing at the level many expected and many of their newcomers have not performed as desired, but Zinedine Zidane is still getting the job and the Capitol City squad currently sits tied at the top of the 2019-20 Liga standings with 25 points (W7, D4, L1). The only reason why Real Madrid are second and Barcelona are first lies on the goal differential. While Barcelona have +18, Real Madrid “only” have +16, although they also have fewer goals scored. Prior to the international break, Real Madrid registered a dominant 4-0 away win against Eibar, and that result extended their undefeated streak in LaLiga to three games (W2, D1). Winning here is imperative for Los Merengues, since they can’t allow to give Barcelona an inch to let them get away on the standings.

Team News

Marco Asensio has been ruled out for the season with an ACL injury. Nacho and James Rodriguez are out as well, both due to knee injuries.

Luka Jovic (muscle) and Marcelo (leg) have both been listed as questionable. However, both have been included on the squad for Saturday’s contest.

Real Sociedad

Real Sociedad have been one of the biggest surprises in the 2019-20 Liga season thus far. The Donostiarra side was widely expected to sit near the middle of the standings and, if things cracked their way, they could have challenged for a European berth. But so far, Real Sociedad are very much alive on the race for a UEFA Champions League spot towards the end of November and 13 games into the season already. They enter this game following a 1-1 home draw against Leganes before the international break, but Real Sociedad are undefeated in their last two games (W1, D1) while losing just once in their last five Liga matches (W3, D1, L1). Furthermore, their away record so far in 2019-20 reads: W4, D1, L2. They are the best away side in LaLiga this season. Would that be enough to pull the upset at Santiago Bernabeu?

Team News

Former Real Madrid midfielder Asier Illarramendi has been ruled out of this match due to a broken ankle.

Mikel Merino (shoulder), Martin Odegaard (ankle), Portu (back) and Joseba Zaldua (arm) are all questionable. Their status for this upcoming will be announced on Saturday morning.

Key Factors to Consider

• Dominant force? Real Madrid have won by two or more goals in three of their last four competitive matches at Santiago Bernabeu.
• Real Madrid have also kept a clean sheet in each of their last three home matches. Can they make it four here?
• Both sides enter this game on an identical run of form over their last five league matches: W3, D1, L1.
• Three of the last four matches between these two sides have produced over 3.5 total goals.
• The last nine H2H matches have seen the half-time leader clinch maximum points. This is excluding games that ended level at the break.

Conclusion

Three of the last four matches between these two sides have ended with both sides scoring. Given what’s at stake here, that shouldn’t change in this contest.

Verdict: Both teams to score – yes

Best Odds: 16/25

Bookmaker: 888sport