Can Real Madrid get ahead in the first leg?
The Copa del Rey 2024/25 semi-final first leg between Real Sociedad and Real Madrid takes place on Wednesday evening. The Whites are already favorites in the first encounter against the Basques, which is partly due to the recent form of the visitors. However, our Real Sociedad vs. Real Madrid tip is for a close result in the first leg.
The home side should not be underestimated. The Basques have won five of their last six competitive games. They only suffered a clear defeat in La Liga against Betis Sevilla just under two weeks ago. They now want to improve their record against the visitors from Madrid. Home advantage in the first leg comes in handy.
Real Sociedad – statistics & current form
Real Sociedad are in the Copa del Rey semi-finals for the second year running. Last year, the Basques were surprisingly knocked out in the semi-finals by RCD Mallorca, missing out on the final against Bilbao. Now they have another chance to reach the Copa del Rey final – but to do so, they have to overcome the mammoth task of beating Real Madrid.
Five years ago, Real Sociedad last won the Spanish cup, adding to their collection of trophies. This season, the possibility of a coup can be ruled out. In addition to Real Madrid, two other La Liga top teams, Barcelona and Atlético Madrid, are also represented in the Copa del Rey 2024/25.
The semi-final first leg between Real Sociedad and Real Madrid takes place on Wednesday evening. The bookmakers see the Basques as underdogs. However, the white-and-blues from San Sebastián should not be underestimated at home. Across all competitions, Sociedad have celebrated five wins in their last five home games.
Will the Basques extend their recent record in the Reale Arena?
In their last 13 home games, Real Sociedad have a record of 11-1-1. However, they have lost the last two home games against Real Madrid. One of these two defeats came in the first half of the current league season. The last time Sociedad won against the Whites was in May 2023.
If you still want to place a bet on the Basques in the upcoming match between Real Sociedad and Real Madrid, you can use the NEO.bet free bet to do so and minimize your own risk. If the home side are successful, the minimum odds criterion for the freebet at NEO.bet is also met.
Head coach Imanol Alguacil has to do without four players in the squad due to injury in this game. The white-and-blue team from San Sebastián is expected to start this game with a similar lineup as they did last weekend against CD Leganés. Sociedad won that game 3-0.
Predicted line-up:
Remiro – Aramburu, Zubeldia, Elustondo, Lopez – Zubimendi – Kubo, Olasagasti, Marin, Gomez – Oyarzabal
Real Madrid – Statistics & current form
Real Madrid continue to sit close on the heels of the leaders from Catalonia and are currently lurking for a point loss. With the victory against FC Girona, Carlo Ancelotti’s team ended their recent negative streak in La Liga and took three points in the Spanish top flight for the first time since matchday 21.
Although the Whites put in a lackluster performance, they managed to secure a largely comfortable victory against last season’s third-placed side. Across all competitions, the runners-up from Madrid have not been beaten for the sixth time in a row. During this period, Real also managed to secure two victories against Manchester City.
In the Copa, the Whites want to underpin their recent form and set the course for a place in the final. It remains to be seen how much Ancelotti’s team will risk in the first leg, because the decision will only be made in the second leg at home. Even a draw would therefore be a pleasing result given the tight schedule the Madrileneans have.
Will the Whites lose points in the Basque Country?
In the Spanish top flight, Real Madrid went without a win in seven of a total of 13 away games. However, one of the six victories that Real Madrid managed on foreign soil was at Real Sociedad. The “Blancos” won 2-0 at the Basques’ stadium and thus kept a clean sheet for the fourth time in the last five head-to-heads.
Although the defense has made a positive impression recently, betting on the Whites keeping a clean sheet this time is risky. Since the win against Stade Brest (3-0) in the Champions League, Real Madrid have conceded at least one goal in six of their last seven competitive games.
Carlo Ancelotti will have to do without at least two players in the squad due to injury in the cup. Compared to the team that last played in La Liga, a few changes in the starting eleven are likely for the Madrilenians in order to cope with the busy schedule in February.
Predicted lineup:
Lunin – Vazquez, Asencio, Rüdiger, Garcia – Ceballos, Tchouameni – Rodrygo, Bellingham, Vinicius – Mbappe
Real Sociedad – Real Madrid Head to head / H2H record
In the last 166 meetings between the two clubs, Real Sociedad have only won 33 times. The Whites from Madrid lead the direct comparison with a record of 91-41-33. In the last three meetings, Real Madrid have beaten the Basques. One of these three victories was scored by Carlo Ancelotti’s team in the first half of the current season.
The Basques have not won a single match against the Royals since May 2023. In the last five head-to-heads, a bet on under 2.5 goals in the game paid off four times when Real Sociedad faced Real Madrid.
Real Sociedad – Real Madrid Tip
Real Madrid will play their eighth competitive game of the month on Wednesday evening. The cup game comes at an inopportune moment after the exhausting encounters against Manchester City and FC Girona. It remains to be seen with which attitude the Madrilenians will approach the first leg in the Basque Country.
Wednesday’s opponents should not be underestimated. At home, Real Sociedad have been 11-1-1 in their last 13 competitive games, which is a great result and gives them plenty of confidence. They have even celebrated five consecutive home wins in a row.
Match Facts – Real Sociedad vs. Real Madrid Tip
- In La Liga, Real Madrid have not won in seven of 13 away games
- Real Sociedad have a record of 11-1-1 in their last 13 home games
- Real Madrid will play their eighth competitive game this month on Wednesday evening
We think the home team will do well in the upcoming encounter and see value in the high prices for the Basques. However, our Real Sociedad vs. Real Madrid tip is aimed at the “1X” in the first half. We are betting five units on our prediction.
