Real Madrid will be looking to catch up to La Liga leaders Barcelona, when they host Real Sociedad at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday. Rafa Benitez’s team won 10-2 against Rayo Vallecano in their last game, with Gareth Bale scoring four goals and Karim Benzema also scoring a hat-trick, while Real Sociedad lost their last game 2-0 against Villarreal.
Rafael Benitez is under fire with his team currently sitting third in the La Liga table with 33 points from 16 games, while Real Sociedad are 14th in the La Liga standings with 16 points from 16 games. Every game looks like a Cup final for Rafael Benitez and his team, and needless to say, it’s another must win game for him if he wants to stay longer in his job. Real Sociedad are also in desperate need of points as they’re just two points above the relegation zone.
Kickoff and Live Telecast
Channel: Sony KIX.
Date and Time: Wednesday, 30th December 2015 – 15:00 GMT (20:30 IST)
Venue: Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid.
Team News
Real Madrid
After beating Rayo Vallecano 10-2, Rafael Benitez is expected to go with an unchanged starting XI against Real Sociedad. Dani Carvajal has recovered from injury, but Danilo is expected to start once again after his impressive performance in the last game.The likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale are likely to lead the attack once again, while the midfield of Toni Kroos, Luka Modric and James Rodriguez will start in midfield.
Real Socieded
David Zurutuza is the only injury concern for the visitors. Alberto De la Bella has served his suspension and is expected to replace Yuri in the starting XI. Diego Reyes and Inigo Martinez are expected to start in defense, while Illarramendi and Granero will start as holding midfielders. Sergio Canales is likely to start on the left wing, while Carlos Vela is expected to start on the other wing. Xabi Prieto should start just behind Imanol Agirretxe.
Probable lineups
Real Madrid (4-3-3): Navas; Danilo, Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo; Modric, Kroos, Rodriguez; Bale, Benzema, Ronaldo.
Real Sociedad(4-2-3-1): Rulli, Elustondo, Reyes, Martinez, Bella, Illarramendi, Granero, Vela, Prieto, Canales, Agirretxe.
Form
Real Madrid
Real Madrid have 4 of their last 5 games in all competitions, but Real Madrid boss Rafael Benitez is under fire as the Real Madrid fans demand more from their team. Los Blancos won 3-1 in the Copa Del Rey against Cadiz, 4-1 against Getafe in the La Liga, 8-0 against Malmo FF in the Champions League, and 10-2 against Rayo Vallecano, but dropped points against Villarreal in the La Liga. Rafael Benitez’s team have scored 24 goals in their last 5 games, while conceding just 4 goals.
Last 5 games: W-W-W-L-W (Last match: Real Madrid 10-2 Rayo Vallecano)
Real Sociedad
The visitors have won just one of their last 5 games, and are currently 14th in the La Liga, just two points above the relegation zone. Real Sociedad’s only win came at home against Eibar in the La Liga, with Agirretxe scoring both the goals in a 2-1 win. They lost 2-1 to Las Palmas in the away leg, while managing a 1-1 draw in the home leg. They lost their last game against Villarreal 2-0 at home, and will be desperate to take away something from the Santiago Bernabeu.
Last 5 games: L-W-D-D-L (Last match: Real Madrid 10-2 Rayo Vallecano)
Key Stats
Real Sociedad have conceded 15 goals in their last four games against Real Madrid.
Real Madrid have scored 22 goals in their last 3 games at Santiago Bernabeu.
Real Sociedad have lost four away games this season.
Real Sociedad last won at Santiago Bernabeu in 2004.
Real Madrid have scored at least 4 goals in their last 5 home matches against Real Sociedad in all competitions.
Key Battles
Cristiano Ronaldo vs Aritz Elustondo
Real Madrid star Cristian Ronaldo has scored 23 goals this seasons, including 12 goals in 16 league games. He scored twice in the last game against Rayo Vallecano, and despite concerns about his form Elustondo can’t take him from granted. There is nothing Ronaldo can’t do on the football pitch, and will be itching to get more goals after his brilliant performance in the last game.
Elustondo has a big job of keeping Ronaldo in check for 90 minutes, but he’ll have to be at his best as it’s not an easy job for any defender in the world. After a poor start to the season, Ronaldo has scored 10 goals and assisted 5 in his last 6 games.
Karim Benzema vs Inigo Martinez
Karim Benzema has always been a relaible goal scorer, and he was at his best against Rayo Vallecano as he scored a brilliant hat-trick. The French international has scored two hat-tricks in his last three games, and looks in brilliant goal scoring form. Inigo Martinez will be wary of the threat Benzema poses, and has a difficult job on his hands to keep him quite throughout the game.
Martinez must make sure he doesn’t allow too much room for Benzema inside his own penalty box, and should also be strong aerially if he want to nullify Benzema’s impact on the game. On the other hand, Benzema will be looking for Ronaldo and Bale to help him continue his brilliant goal scoring form.
Prediction
Real Madrid look in great form and are scoring a lot of goals, while Real Sociedad find themselves in a difficult position, but it’s highly unlikely things will get better for them at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Real Madrid 3-1 Real Sociedad
Betting odds (bet365)
Real Madrid – 1/10
Draw – 9/1
Real Sociedad – 22/1
