Prediction: Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad

Verdict: Jude Bellingham to have over 0.5 shots on target

Best Odds: 3/5

Bookmaker: Luckster

Looking to mark their return from the international break with another flurry, Real Madrid will welcome Real Sociedad to the capital on Sunday night.

Real Madrid

Starting with the hosts, while Real Madrid might have come under plenty of domestic scrutiny last season as they eventually finished 10 points adrift of defending their La Liga crown, Carlo Ancelotti’s men have come roaring back this time around. Heading into the international break with a last-gasp 2-1 victory at home against Getafe, Los Blancos will simply be looking to carry on from where they left off earlier in the month. Opening up the 2023/24 campaign by winning each of their first four top-flight appearances, it appears that the mood in their camp is at a real high. Marking their return from the international break holding a two-point buffer over the chasing pack, the former AC Milan boss will be calling on his superstar squad to lay down another marker here. Quickly gaining a reputation for their free-scoring performances in the final third, Sunday’s hosts will be relishing a return to action here.

Team News

Notching his second international strike while away on international duties with England this month, the red-hot Jude Bellingham will have a key role to play here.

Dealing with what was a mounting injury list prior to September’s international break, Real Madrid will once again be unable to call upon the likes of Thibaut Courtois, Eder Militao and Ferland Mendy this weekend. Likewise, Sunday’s hosts will also be without attacking talisman and Brazil international Vinicius Junior.

Real Sociedad

As for the visitors, while Real Sociedad might have opened the 2023/24 campaign with three La Liga stalemates on the bounce, Imanol Alguacil’s side certainly came roaring back last time out. Eventually heading into September’s international break with an action-packed 5-3 victory at home against Granada, La Real also have a Champions League return scheduled in for later the month. Gaining a string of plaudits last season as they claimed a lucrative top-four finish, the Basque-based outfit will now be hoping to find some recent defensive resolve. Mustering just a single clean sheet from any of their previous six La Liga appearances continuing on from last season, Sunday’s guests will know that they face a stern examination this weekend. However, it should be noted, when Sociedad welcomed Los Blancos to the Anoeta Stadium for their most recent meeting on May 2nd, Alguacil’s men picked up an eye-catching 2-0 victory.

Team News

Yet to make a single appearance since arriving from German outfit RB Leipzig this summer, Real Sociedad are once again sweating over the fitness of Portugal international Andre Silva. Likewise, Alguacil is also set to be without former Real Madrid defender Jesus Vallejo due to a thigh injury.

Already notching three strikes from his opening four La Liga appearances, 22-year-old Takefusa Kubo will once again spearhead Sociedad’s charge on Sunday night.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides last met back on May 2nd, Real Sociedad picked up a 2-0 victory at the Anoeta Stadium.
• However, that is the only win that Sunday’s hosts have collected from their previous seven meetings against Real Madrid.
• Los Blancos are the only La Liga outfit that can boast a 100% start from their opening four appearances.
• Continuing on from last season, Real Sociedad have recorded just a single clean sheet from their previous six La Liga appearances.
• England international Jude Bellingham has remarkably notched five strikes from his opening four La Liga appearances.

Conclusion

Heading into the international break with a last-gasp 2-1 victory at home against Getafe, Real Madrid have continued to shine since opening up the new campaign. Winning each of their first four La Liga appearances, there is no doubt that Ancelotti will be calling on the red-hot Bellingham to spearhead his charge this weekend. Once again finding the net while away on international duties with England this month, the former Birmingham starlet has enjoyed a remarkable start to life in the Spanish capital. Notching five goals in just his first four La Liga outings, Bellingham will be looking to test a Sociedad defence that have mustered just a single clean sheet from any of their previous six appearances continuing on from last season.

Verdict: Jude Bellingham to have over 0.5 shots on target

Best Odds: 3/5

Bookmaker: Luckster