Real Madrid will be looking to make it five wins from their first five games in La Liga in 2023-24 when they welcome Real Sociedad to the Bernabeu on Sunday night. Carlo Ancelotti's side are currently top of the table with 12 points, while Real Sociedad - who are also unbeaten this season - are in eighth place, having picked up six points from their opening four games.
Real Madrid haven't looked very impressive in the early games of the season, but they have very effectively made it four wins in a row, beating Bilbao, Almeria, Celta Vigo and Getafe, to move to the top of the La Liga table with a two-point lead over second-placed Girona. Bellingham has been the talk of the tournament so far, scoring five goals in his first four games, including the killer goal against Getafe before International Day. Real Madrid are looking to reclaim the La Liga title from Barcelona this season and they will begin their Champions League group stage campaign next week with a home game against Union Berlin.
Then there is the Madrid derby against Atletico Madrid in La Liga, where Carlo Ancelotti's side will travel to the fabulous Wanda Metropolitano Stadium on September 24th. International match day comes at a bad time for Real Madrid, and given their start to the season, the team will be keen to show that their momentum has not been interrupted. However, Real Madrid have only won two of their last six La Liga matches against Real Sociedad, as they suffered a 2-0 loss in the last meeting between the two teams.
Real Sociedad earned a point at the Bernabeu last season, in addition to the Basque side's recent record of defeating Real Madrid away from home, which they did by a 2-0 scoreline during the 2018-19 season. Imanol Alguacil's side are unbeaten this season, gaining six points from their four matches, which puts them eighth in the table heading into the next round of fixtures.
Real Sociedad drew three consecutive matches against Girona, Celta Vigo and Las Palmas in August before picking up their first win before International Day, beating Granada 5-3 at home. The Whites and Blues finished fourth in La Liga last season and actually led 5-1 at one point against Granada, however the visitors mounted a late comeback but managed to take the crucial three points. Like Real Madrid, Real Sociedad will begin their Champions League group stage campaign next week, with the Basque side taking on Inter Milan in their opening group stage match.
Real Madrid have suffered a number of injuries to key players in the early part of the season, with Eder Militão, Thibaut Courtois, Arda Guler and Vincentius Junior all currently nursing injuries. Ferran Mendy and Danny Ceballos were also on injured reserve earlier in the season, but both are now back in full training. Ceballos will return to the squad for this game, but Mendy will be left behind, possibly under consideration to start against Berlin United in Europe. Bellingham will once again be at the heart of the midfield, which is unlikely to include Luka- or Toni Kroos, while Fran Garcia will probably be slotted in at left-back once again.
Meanwhile, Real Sociedad will be without Martin Melkrans and Andre Silva against Carlo Ancelotti's side in the Spanish capital. It is expected that Umar Sadiq will shake off the injury blow to make himself available, but Mikael Oyarzábal could start at center forward, as he did in the last match against Granada. Head coach Alguacil may decide to go with the same starting lineup as in the pre-international match, with Uboul, who scored two goals against Granada, set to face his former hosts.
Real Madrid's probable starting lineup: Kepa; Carvajal, Rudiger, Alaba, Garcia; Valverde, Chouyameni, Kamalinga; Bellingham; Rodrigo, Joselu.
Real Sociedad's probable starting lineup: Remiro; Traore, Zubeldia, Le Norman, Tierney; Mendes, Zubimendi, Merino; Ubuhl, Oyarzabal, Barenetxea.
Score Prediction: Real Madrid 2-1 Real Sociedad This game has all the makings of a great match and we expect Real Sociedad to give Real Madrid a very uncomfortable night. There could be a draw here, but we have a feeling that Real Madrid will be able to pull off another important three points.
