Verdict: Mikel Oyarzabal over 0.5 shots on target

Best Odds: 7/10

Bookmaker: Dachbet

Hoping to find a route back to top spot in the La Liga standings, Real Madrid will welcome Real Sociedad to the Spanish capital on Saturday night.

Real Madrid

Starting with the hosts, while Real Madrid might have signed off their Champions League group stage adventure with an infamous 4-2 loss away at Benfica, it appears that dramatic night in Lisbon was nothing more than a minor blip. Last seen securing a routine 2-0 victory away at Valencia, Los Blancos open Saturday’s fixtures sat just one-point adrift of leapfrogging arch-rivals Barcelona and climbing to the top of the La Liga table. Getting February underway with a last-gasp 2-1 win at home against local foes Rayo Vallecano, Alvaro Arbeloa’s superstar squad will be looking to make another domestic statement here. Winning five of their previous six appearances across all competitions, Madrid have also continued to shine on home soil. In fact, Los Blancos have won all of their last five consecutive showdowns at the Bernabeu by an aggregate score of 17-3.

Real Madrid Team News

Sustaining a hamstring injury earlier in the month, Real Madrid will once again be without England international Jude Bellingham here. Likewise, dealing with his own respective hamstring issue, Brazilian defender Eder Militao remains on the sidelines.

Serving a one-match suspension against Valencia last week, attacking superstar Vinicius Junior should be handed a full recall. Shattering a string of long-standing records this season and remarkably bagging 23 goals in his 22 La Liga appearances this season, French skipper Kylian Mbappe will lead the line.

Real Sociedad

As for the visitors, while Pellegrino Matarazzo might have only arrived the Basque Country over the festive period, Real Sociedad have embarked on a sensational purple patch under the former Stuttgart boss. Extending on their Copa del Rey adventure earlier in the week as they secured a 1-0 victory away at arch-rivals Athletic Bilbao, La Real are riding a major wave of momentum. Including a routine 3-1 win at home against Elche last weekend, Sociedad have won each of their previous three appearances across all competitions by an aggregate score of 7-3. Likewise, with their sights now set on booking a lucrative European return, Saturday’s guests have also not suffered a single defeat across any competition since the middle of December.

Real Sociedad Team News

Dealing with what has become a stacked injury list in the Basque Country, Sociedad will travel to the capital this weekend without the likes of Ander Barrenetxea, Arsen Zakharyan and Japanese International Takefusa Kubo. However, La Real are hopeful that Serbian midfielder Luka Sucic will return to their travelling squad.

Recording five goals in as many La Liga appearances, attacking talisman Mikel Oyarzabal will spearhead Sociedad’s charge. Bagging a Copa del Rey winner away at Athletic Bilbao earlier in the week, academy graduate Benat Turrientes will keep his spot in the middle of the park.

Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad Key Factors to Consider

• When Real Madrid and Real Sociedad met for their reverse La Liga battle on September 13th, Los Blancos collected a 2-1 victory in the Basque Country.
• Sociedad have not claimed a La Liga victory at the Bernabeu since back in January 2019.
• Los Blancos have won all of their last five consecutive showdowns at the Bernabeu by an aggregate score of 17-3.
• Real Sociedad are unbeaten in their last 11 consecutive appearances across all competitions.
• French superstar Kylian Mbappe has registered 23 goals in his 22 La Liga appearances this season.

Conclusion

While Real Madrid might open Saturday’s showdown pencilled in as a lnsaldide contender, Los Blancos should face a rugged examination here. Watching Sociedad embark on a remarkable purple patch since Matarazzo’s arrival in the Basque Country, La Real will be confident of asking some real questions this weekend. Despite not securing a La Liga victory at the Bernabeu since back in January 2019, Saturday’s guests will be confident of testing a Madrid defence who have recorded just a sole clean sheet in the Spanish capital since opening 2026.

Verdict: Mikel Oyarzabal over 0.5 shots on target

Best Odds: 7/10

Bookmaker: Dachbet