Real Sociedad vs Real Madrid Preview: Team News & Prediction
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
It has been a really poor start to the season for Real Sociedad, as they now welcome a former favourite son, Xabi Alonso, and his Real Madrid side to the Basque Country.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN have the exclusive rights to La Liga games in the USA, so Real Sociedad vs Real Madrid may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
How to watch online: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN+
Real Sociedad preview: Lacklustre La Real
Following the departure of long-term boss Imanol Alguacil to Al Shabab over the summer, Real Sociedad have had an underwhelming start to this season, with another former B team coach Sergio Francisco now at the helm at the Reale Arena.
They come into this one on the back of collecting just two points from their opening three matches with draws against Valencia and Espanyol then being followed by a 1-0 loss to Real Oviedo in Asturias the other day.
Real Madrid preview: Finding the formula
Xabi Alonso and his Real Madrid side have started the 2025/26 La Liga season with three wins from three and Los Blancos are one of two teams to start the campaign with a 100% record, alongside Real Sociedad’s arch-rivals Athletic Club.
Madrid, beginning a new era, have edged past both Osasuna and Real Mallorca at the Bernabeu, with those victories sandwiching an impressive 3-0 hammering of newly-promoted Oviedo at Estadio Carlos Tartiere.
Real Sociedad team news: A few issues
Yangel Herrera joined Real Sociedad from Girona before the transfer deadline, but he is now unavailable due to a hamstring injury, whilst Orri Oskarsson is also a key doubt for La Real.
Predicted XI (4-4-2): Alex Remiro; Jon Aramburu, Igor Zubeldia, Caleta-Car, Sergi Gomez; Kubo, Pablo Marin, Brian Turrientes, Ander Barrenetxea; Guedes, Mikel Oyarzabal
Unavailable: Yangel Herrera (Injured)
Questionable: Aihen Munoz (Injured), Oskarsson (Injured)
Real Madrid team news: A few issues
England international midfielder Jude Bellingham remains sidelined for Real Madrid, alongside Endrick, whilst the likes of Ferland Mendy and Eduardo Camavinga are doubts.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Courtois; Dani Carvajal, Rudiger, Dean Huijsen, Carreras; Fede Valverde, Tchouameni, Guler; Brahim Diaz, Mbappe, Vinicius Junior
Unavailable: Bellingham (Injured), Endrick (Injured)
Questionable: Lunin (Injured), Mendy (Injured), Camavinga (Injured)
Real Sociedad vs Real Madrid prediction
Real Sociedad declined a fair bit under Imanol last season, but they appear to have regressed even further over the summer and the steady drip of departures over recent years is beginning have an impact. They now face a Real Madrid side that are already looking strong and are yet to really develop properly under Xabi Alonso, and so a comfortable away win would have to be viewed as the likeliest outcome at the Reale Arena.
Real Sociedad vs Real Madrid tip: Real Madrid to win to nil
