Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad
La Liga leaders Real Madrid will open the doors to the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday and welcome Real Sociedad, and that’s where the pleasantries will end.
Carlo Ancelotti’s Los Blancos are well in control of the title race, but it is far from over and they will be keen to exert their authority over one of the chasing pack.
Imanol Iguacil’s Real Sociedad made their customary fast start to the campaign before falling away, but they have shown signs of revival recently with one or two key players returning from injury.
Los Blancos come into this match after beating Rayo Vallecano 1-0 while Sociedad had a 2-0 win away to Mallorca, and that made it back to back victories for both teams.
So which “Real” will come out on top of this fascinating contest and make it three on the bounce? My money’s on Los Blancos.
Talking Points
Los Blancos can work under pressure
The latest La Liga 2022 betting odds are still right behind Real Madrid but their lead could be cut to three points, should Sevilla beat struggling Alaves on Friday night. And that’s not the only thing Ancelotti has to worry about as his team have the task of overturning a 1-0 deficit to Paris Saint-Germain in their Round of 16 Champions League clash.
In La Liga things are going pretty well, Los Blancos have won four of the last six and haven’t conceded a goal in the league since January. Of course the Madrid giants rely so heavily on Karim Benzema. The striker has 19 goals this season but is well supported by young Brazilian Vincius Junior who has 13 goals.
Two players are suspended for the second leg with PSG, and so Ferland Mendy and Casemiro are both sure to start against Sociedad while it may still be too early for the returning David Alaba. With nine yellow cards Casemiro has again proved he is an uncompromising midfielder and he is sure to be a big player in this clash of the ‘Reals.’
Injury hit Sociedad battle on
After an uptick in their recent La Liga 2022 results La Real are up to sixth place in the La Liga table and just one point behind fourth placed Barcelona, though the Blaugrana have a game in hand. Unlike their opponents Iguacil’s side are without European distractions having been eliminated from the Europa League in a play off against Bundesliga big hitters Red Bull Leipzig. But they have responded well with back to back wins over Osasuna and Mallorca, keeping two clean sheets along the way.
La Real have been beset by injuries throughout the campaign and will be without Nacho Monreal, Adnan Januzaj and Ander Barrenetxea. But there is better news on two big players who came through 90 minutes against Mallorca, and Mikel Oyarzabal and David Silva are both set to start against Los Blancos.
Oyarzabal is Sociedad’s top scorer with eight, and in further good news for the Basque outfit striker Alexander Isak is set to start and could add to his four goals. The Sociedad players are gradually returning to fitness and they could still make a top four challenge.
History
Real Madrid have had the better of the head to heads, winning 30 of their encounters with Sociedad and losing 12 in all competitions since 1993, triumphing by a 2-0 score line in San Sebastian back in December on Matchday 16. Goals from Vinicius Junior and Luka Jovic opened up an eight point lead at the top of La Liga for Ancelotti’s men as La Real began their slide down the table.
That Real Madrid have failed to stretch their lead since December, in fact it has reduced by two points, is cause for optimism in the chasing pack and Sociedad could open things up nicely with a win.
Recent form is comparable as both teams have won three, drawn two and lost two of the last seven games in all competitions.
Betting Tip
At a SBOTOP price of 4.84 Sociedad look to be good value with some of their most influential players back in the fold, while los Blancos are priced at 1.64 and the draw is at 3.85 if you are steering away from an away win.
I am heading towards a Los Blancos’ triumph as I believe that home advantage and the form of Benzema and Junior, not to mention the power of Casemiro, would be too much for most teams to withstand… and the hosts’ form since losing to PSG has been impressive.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR (⭐) BETS ARE WORTH:
⭐⭐⭐= €20 (HIGHLY CONFIDENT)
⭐⭐= €10 (CONFIDENT))
⭐= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT)
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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