Real Madrid looks to extend their unbeaten run at Santiago Bernabeu in all competitions against third-placed Real Sociedad who are unbeaten in the last five La Liga games.
Carlo Ancelotti’s men overcame Athletic Club’s challenge by 2-0 at San Mames last time in the league while La Real comfortably beat Rayo Vallecano in their backyard by the same score line.
RMA vs RSO Match Details
Date: Sunday, 29 January 2023 / Monday, 30 January 2023
Time: 21:00 (CET) / 01:30 (IST)
Venue: Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
RMA vs RSO Match Preview
With disturbing images of racism circling on social media in the build-up to yet another Madrid derby, it was down to Vinicius Jr to make another statement as he did in the earlier meeting of the season in the league. The Brazilian did by scoring the game settler in the stoppage time of the Copa del Rey quarter final clash between the city rivals. Los Blancos had to come back from a goal down to do it as Alvaro Morata gave Atletico Madrid the lead inside the 90th minute. Not earlier than the 79th minute did the home side manage to break the stubborn defense of their rivals with Rodrygo flicking the ball past Jan Oblak to force extra time. Atletico ran out of steam in this period and Karim Benzema managed to sneak in with the winner before the game went completely out of their hands in the last minutes of the derby. This was the result to cherish for Real Madrid as they return to the Santiago Bernabeu after seven games and will continue at the Stadium for the league clash against Real Sociedad this weekend. Carlo Ancelotti’s side have to regain stamina quickly following the extra-time win in midweek as the battle against La Real is pivotal in the chase for the La Liga title. Imanol Alguacil's side are placed third on the table and only three points behind Los Blancos in second. Real Madrid’s aim will be to level their points up with FC Barcelona at the top before a hectic schedule to pursue next month including the Club World Cup and the Round of 16 first leg against Liverpool in the Champions League.
Meanwhile, Real Sociedad will prepare themselves to be the first team to defeat Real Madrid at Santiago Bernabeu this season with the home side not suffering defeat at this venue since March last year. Imanol Alguacil's side are also very much in the league title chase with only six points separating them from league leaders Barcelona. Aside from the league’s top two, Real Sociedad looked to be the most composed side not losing in La Liga since a 2-0 defeat against Real Betis late October last year and their 10-game unbeaten streak in all competition only ending against the Catalan giants on Thursday in the Copa del Rey quarter final stage. That too by a solitary goal and with a man down. Bryan Mendez first received a yellow card for a stud-showing challenge on Sergio Busquets but then VAR upgraded it to a red as he walked off the pitch in the 40th minute. Ousmane Dembele then got the winning goal early in the second half for Barcelona but La Real created some excellent opportunities to restore priority in the match. Although, their focus is very much on the league to be in the top four for the first time since the 2012/12 season. The 2-0 victory at Rayo Vallecano means Sociedad have collected 38 points from 18 games, seven points clear of a Champions League spot. Real Madrid will be a test like no other as they are yet to win against them in six meetings in La Liga since grabbing a 3-1 win at Santiago Bernabeu in 2019.
Recent Form (all competitions)
RMA: WWWLD
RSO: LWWWW
Recent Form (league)
RMA: WLWWL
RSO: WWWWW
RMA vs RSO Team News
Real Madrid have a series of injuries troubling them ahead of the game on Sunday. David Alaba withdrew from the squad to face Atletico Madrid at the last minute as he suffered a setback in his recovery from a calf injury. The issue will rule the Austrian out for this game. Both fullbacks, Dani Carvajal (muscle) and Ferland Mendy (thigh) are also unavailable so Nacho Fernandez and Eduardo Camavinga will replace them in their respective flanks. Eden Hazard, Aurelien Tchouameni and Lucas Vazquez make the other absentees. Rodrygo is a doubt with an Achilles problem.
Similar to Los Blancos, Real Sociedad’s injury list is big with Umar Sadiq, David Silva, Jon Pacheco, Mohamed Ali-Cho, Andoni Gorosabel, Mikel Merino, Ander Guevara, Alex Sola and Martin Merquelanz all ruled out. Bryan Mendez received a straight red card in the midweek Copa del Rey loss to Barcelona but his suspension does not relate to the league. Hence, he will be available for selection.
Predicted Lineups
RMA: Thibaut Courtois; Nacho Fernandez, Eder Militao, Antonio Rudiger, Eduardo Camavinga; Dani Ceballos, Toni Kroos, Luka Modric; Federico Valverde, Karim Benzema, Vinicius Jr
RSO: Alex Remiro; Aritz Elustondo, Igor Zubeldia, Le Normand, Diego Rico; Bryan Mendez, Martin Zubimendi, Pablo Marin; Takefusa Kubo; Mikel Oyarzabal, Alexander Sorloth
RMA vs RSO Head to Head
Real Madrid thrashed Real Sociedad in the last meeting between the sides held at Santiago Bernabeu with two rockets from Eduardo Camavinga and Luka Modric before the first-half lighting up the show with Karim Benzema from the spot and Marco Asensio completing the turnaround after the away side took the lead through Mikel Oyarzabal’s 10th-minute spot-kick.
RMA vs RSO Dream11 Team Prediction
GK: Courtois (7.5)
DEF: Militao (8), Le Normand (8), Rudiger (7.5), Rico (7.5)
MID: Valverde (8), Kroos (8), Zubimendi (8), Mendez (9)
FW: Benzema (9), Vinicius Jr (9)
Vice-captain: Vinicius Jr
Captain: Karim Benzema
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