La Liga: Sunday Night Spectacle Awaits in the Capital

Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad

It’s second versus third in La Liga, the champions against the unlikely high-fliers, the established giants against one of the form teams in Europe.

Real Madrid host Real Sociedad on Sunday evening and, with the visitors on the back of five straight league wins, a tough test lies in wait for Carlo Ancelotti’s charges.

Yet when it comes La Liga 2023 highlights, there is no team greater and they can ill afford for the gap between them and leaders Barcelona to stretch further than the current three points.

Talking Points

Last weekend, Sociedad beat Rayo Vallecano 2-0 to keep pressure on the top two.

They are not considered title contenders realistically but, if they are to stay on the periphery of the race, they will want to avoid two defeats in five days against the top two.

It was on Wednesday night in the Copa del Rey where their winning run ended with a narrow defeat to Barcelona.

A decisive moment saw Brais Mendez dismissed for a high and late challenge and in the second half Barca made them pay as Ousmane Dembele scored the only goal of the tie in which Sociedad hit the crossbar twice.

Mendez will not be suspended for the league match this weekend which is a good job as they already have a lengthy injury list which includes the likes of Umar Sadiq, David Silva, Jon Pacheco, Mohamed Ali-Cho, Andoni Gorosabel, and Mikel Merino.

Real, who beat city rivals Atletico Madrid after extra time to advance to the semi-finals on Thursday night, have absences of their own.

Centre-back David Alaba is said to have suffered a setback in his recovery from a calf issue, while Lucas Vazquez remains sidelined with an ankle problem.

The game could come too soon for Aurelien Tchouameni (calf), Eden Hazard (ankle), and Dani Carvajal (muscle), while Ferland Mendy (thigh) and Rodrygo (Achilles) have emerged as fresh doubts following the Madrid derby.

That was a contest which also turned on a sending-off as Atletico’s Stefan Savic was sent off for two bookable offences with the score at 1-1.

Karim Benzema went onto put Real ahead in extra-time after that and Vinicius Jr added a third.

It was also a match in which last season’s Champions League Final match-winner could be forgiven for saying “Take that, you racists”.

Before the match, La Liga had strongly condemned acts of hatred and intimidation after an effigy of the Real Madrid winger was hung from a bridge near the club’s training ground.

So there was vindication in the reaction to his goal as he shouted, clenched his fists, pumped his arms, and danced.

With some believing the momentum has swung from Madrid to Catalonia in the title race, Madrid could need some more Vinicius magic to win this game in what will be the acid test for Sociedad.

History

Sociedad have not beaten Real in their past five meetings but have caused an upset on more than one occasion in recent seasons.

That included a Copa del Rey success at the Bernabeu in 2020 when Merino grabbed the winner and was joined on the scoresheet by Alexander Isak (two) and Martin Ødegaard in a thrilling 4-3 win.

They last defeated them in La Liga in 2019 when Ander Barrenetxea, Willian José, and Merino found the net in a 3-1 win.

Last season saw a league double for the Spanish champions as Vinicius Jr and Luka Jovic scored two goals early in the second half without reply.

The corresponding fixture last season saw Ancelotti’s men run out 4-1 winners.

The visitors led through a Mikel Oyarzabal penalty but that would prove to be their only shot.

Eduardo Camavinga and Luka Modric scored brilliant goals from long range for Madrid in quick succession before Benzema and substitute Marco Asensio sealed the win.

Betting Tip

You rarely bet against Real in the Bernabeu – and the SBOTOP La Liga 2023 betting odds advise us the same.

The champions are available to back 1X2 @ 1.70 and Asian Handicap -1.00 @ 2.28, while Sociedad are on offer 1X2 @ 4.60 and Asian Handicap +0.50 @ 2.29.

A draw will appeal to some and that will pay out @ 3.80, whereas a repeat of last season’s encounter in Madrid – Correct Score 4-1 – is priced @ 30.00.

As for goals, options include Total Goal 0-1 @ 3.40, 2-3 @ 1.95, 4-6 @ 3.65, and Over 2.75 goals @ 2.19.

The men from San Sebastien are a team in form and I did look at Double Chance Sociedad or Draw @ 2.07. However, I think Real will lead from start to finish.

 

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