Will the Basques benefit from the Blancos’ tough fixture list?
Real Sociedad continue to hold fourth place in La Liga and are well on their way to qualifying for the UEFA Champions League for the first time in ten years. The Basques currently have a five-point lead over Villarreal. If Real Sociedad can win at home against Real Madrid, it will be another milestone on the road to the top flight.
There are two aspects in Erreala’s favor. Firstly, the Basques have won their last three home La Liga games in a row and secondly, with FC Barcelona eleven points behind them in La Liga, there is not too much at stake for the visitors from the national capital. Moreover, the Blancos are fighting for a title in the Copa del Rey final on Saturday and have to face Manchester City three days later, which completely overshadows this away trip to Estadio Anoeta. Therefore, very interesting is the prediction on the home victory of the Basques in Real Sociedad against Real Madrid.
While Real Sociedad has not won any of the last six competitive matches against Real Madrid (three draws, three defeats). However, the Blancos already caught a 2:4 defeat in Girona in their last away match in La Liga. In addition, the Merengues are currently in the midst of a marathon of English weeks. With a squad that is not exactly the youngest in La Liga, the team has to rotate accordingly, which could well benefit the Basques.
In fact, the bookmakers even assign the team from San Sebastian the role of favorite in this duel. We agree with this assessment and recommend tip 1.
Real Sociedad – statistics & current form
Since Imanol Alguacil took over as coach at Real Sociedad de Fútbol, things have been constantly on the up for the traditional club from San Sebastián. In 2020, the Basques secured the Copa del Rey for the first time in 33 years, while in parallel, they have also always achieved an international starting place in La Liga.
Sixth in the previous season, the Txuri-Urdinak (the White-Blue) once again made it to the Europa League, where they only lost out to AS Roma in the round of 16. Meanwhile, Erreala, currently fourth in the table, can dream of a return to the Champions League, in which they participated in 2003/04 and 2013/14.
Brutal remaining program on the way to the Champions League
With six league games left to play and 18 points up for grabs, the Basques still hold fourth place and currently have a five-point lead over closest rivals Villarreal. However, the remaining schedule is problematic. The remaining six matchdays include tough games against Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Sevilla FC.
It would be all the more important for the Txuri-Urdinak to get something countable against the Blancos, who certainly won’t be at their best with an eye on the packed schedule and the Copa del Rey final.
La Liga’s third best home defense
The omens could hardly be more favorable for Real Sociedad vs Real Madrid betting on Erreala to win at home. After all, the Basques go into this game confident with a run of three straight home wins, and with only three defeats from 15 home games in La Liga, they have a fundamentally strong home record to put on the line.
Add to that the fact that the Txuri-Urdinak have conceded just 13 goals in said 15 home games, making them the third best home defense in La Liga behind Barcelona (two) and Athletic Bilbao (12).
Last matches played by Real Sociedad:
La Liga
- 29/04/2023 – Osasuna Pamplona 0 – 2 Real Sociedad
- 26/04/2023 – Real Betis 0 – 0 Real Sociedad
- 22/04/2023 – Real Sociedad 2 – 1 Rayo Vallecano
- 15/04/2023 – Athletic Bilbao 2 – 0 Real Sociedad
- 08/04/2023 – Real Sociedad 2 – 0 Getafe
Real Madrid – Statistics & current form
For now 15 years Real Madrid could not successfully defend the championship title in La Liga. That it will also not come this season to the first title defense since 2008, was clear to all involved at the latest with the lost Clásico in March, when the gap to FC Barcelona grew to nine points.
In the meantime, the Blaugrana are even eleven points behind, which could theoretically still be made up. Recently, however, the Blancos’ goals have shifted to the other competitions, where their chances of winning the title are far more tangible.
Is Carlo Ancelotti sparing all the key players in the Basque Country?
In a veritable marathon of English weeks, the Copa del Rey final against CA Osasuna next Saturday on the one hand and the Champions League semifinal against Manchester City, which takes place just three days later, cast their shadows ahead.
Recently, coach Carlo Ancelotti strongly criticized this game plan. Nevertheless, the 63-year-old, whose squad with an average age of 27.3 years is truly not the youngest in La Liga, has no choice but to rotate hard accordingly. With a view to the relevance of the next two competitive games, only a better B eleven is likely to be fielded away at Real Sociedad.
Lost five of 16 away games in La Liga
This can also explain why the reigning champions are listed as underdogs even by the betting companies. In Real Sociedad vs Real Madrid, the odds are swinging towards the Basques, despite the fact that the Merengues have lost only one of their last seven visiting matches at the Estadio Anoeta (five wins, one draw).
It is true that the capitals have won five of their last six competitive matches. Looking at the fact that their last away game in La Liga so far was a 4-2 defeat at Girona (already their fifth away loss in league play in the 2022/23 season), there is nevertheless little to suggest that the Blancos will win three.
Last matches played by Real Madrid:
La Liga
- 29/04/2023 – Real Madrid 4 – 2 Almeria
- 26/04/2023 – Girona 4 – 2 Real Madrid
- 23/04/2023 – Real Madrid 2 – 0 Celta Vigo
Champions League finals
- 19/04/2023 – Chelsea FC 0 – 2 Real Madrid
La Liga
- 16/04/2023 – Cadiz 0 – 2 Real Madrid
Real Sociedad – Real Madrid Direct comparison / H2H balance
Head to head: 31 – 41 – 90
A total of 162 encounters have taken place between the two teams so far and with 90 wins, Real Madrid leads the head-to-head comparison very clearly. Currently, the Blancos are unbeaten in six competitive matches against Real Sociedad (three wins, three draws). Meanwhile, the first leg in Madrid ended in a goalless draw.
Real Sociedad – Real Madrid Tip
When it comes to Real Sociedad vs Real Madrid, our prediction goes in the direction of the home-strong Basques, who have lost just three of their 15 home La Liga games over the course of the 2022/23 season. This compares to five defeats from 16 away games on the Blancos’ side (ten wins, one draw). With the numerous English weeks, the Copa del Rey final scheduled for Saturday and the game against Manchester City just three days later forcing the Merengues to rotate hard, the Basques even go into this home game favored.
Bet3000 is offering Real Sociedad vs Real Madrid betting odds of 2.50 for the Txuri-Urdinak to win at home, which we’re kicking off at four units. This would also see the Basques extend their recent home winning streak. Most recently, the team from San Sebastián has won three home games in a row.
