First vs. third: La Liga top match in San Sebastian
La Liga’s top match takes place on matchday 16 on Saturday evening at prime time (9pm) in San Sebastian: league leaders Real Madrid are the guests of third-placed Real Sociedad.
A look at the betting providers reveals that this is a top match that promises a lot of excitement. The odds on Real Sociedad vs. Real Madrid are good on all three outcomes of the match.
The league leaders from the Spanish capital are still favourites, of course, and for good reason. Even if the performances have not always been convincing lately, the results have been right. Real Madrid are now unbeaten since the eighth matchday and have won four games in a row.
However, they have struggled in recent matches and always needed a bit of luck, late goals, a good goalkeeper – or all of the above. This may also explain why Real Sociedad vs. Real Madrid offers more than 2.20 on the bet of a Real win.
Real Sociedad – Statistics & current form
Another reason why Real Sociedad vs Real Madrid odds are relatively high is the home strength of the Basques: Real Sociedad has yet to lose a home game. And, what’s more, they have only conceded one home goal!
Four home wins and three draws have been recorded at the Anoeta (officially: Reale Arena). The only goal they conceded was in the Basque derby against Athletic Bilbao, and they did not concede in any of the other six games. However, ‘La Real’ is also stingy with goals. Their own fans have only been able to cheer five measly goals so far, which is why the home results read like a binary code: 1:0, 1:0, 0:0, 1:0, 1:0, 1:1, 0:0.
Real Sociedad’s defensive bulwark: To-nil also against Real Madrid?
If Real Sociedad keep their clean sheet at home against the Madrilenians, Bwin offers odds of 3.90 on Real Sociedad vs. Real Madrid. The Bwin bonus for those who want to play the bet but do not yet have an account with Bwin is therefore recommended.
Imanol Alguacil’s team has generally struggled to score goals this season. 19 goals in 15 games is by far the weakest figure in La Liga’s top 7.
Most recently, they even failed to score twice in a row. At home, they failed to score more than 0:0 against Valencia, followed by a 0:1 defeat at promoted Espanyol Barcelona. In between, there was also a 1-2 defeat at AS Monaco in the Europa League – a real horror week for Real Sociedad.
The Basques now want to recover from this. In the first round of the Copa del Rey, they were at least able to gain some self-confidence on Wednesday, even if the 4-0 victory against the fourth-division team Panaderia Pulido should not be overrated.
Those who believe that Real Sociedad will remain unbeaten after the clash with the record champions at home in the Anoeta should consider the double chance 1X, Betway offers 1.70 on this forecast for Real Sociedad against Real Madrid – currently the top odds.
Predicted Real Sociedad line-up:
Remiro – Gorosabel, Le Normand, Zubeldia, Rico – Guevara, Zubimendi, Silva – Portu, Isak, Oyarzabal
Last matches played by Real Sociedad:
Copa del Rey
12/01 2021 – Panaderia Pulido 0 – 4 San Sebastian
LaLiga
11/28 2021 – Espanyol 1 – 0 San Sebastian
Europa League Grp. B
11/25 2021 – AS Monaco 2 – 1 San Sebastian
LaLiga
11/21 2021 – San Sebastian 0 – 0 Valencia
11/07 2021 – Osasuna Pamplona 0 – 2 San Sebastian
Real Madrid – Statistics & current form
The Madrilenians didn’t have a break during the week either, although they didn’t have to play in the Copa del Rey themselves, because the four participants in Supercopa de España (Real Madrid, Atletico, Barcelona, Athletic Bilbao) have no games in the first two rounds.
But Real had to play anyway, on Wednesday they had to play the catch-up match against Athletic Bilbao. Once again, the Blancos did not cover themselves with glory, but once again they fulfilled their duty and won. Real won 1:0 against the Basques, but the game was poor and the victory rather flattering. Similar to the 2-1 win against Sevilla FC a few days earlier.
Real Madrid even deserved to be behind, but only scored the winning goal shortly before the end thanks to an individual effort by Vinicius Junior. Real Madrid have won four matches in a row in the league, but they have only rarely been convincing, if at all. Goals have been conceded in each of those games, which also highlights the vulnerability of Carlo Ancelotti’s side
Tired Real Madrid drag themselves to mandatory victories
All this is not apparent when looking at the table, however. Real Madrid are first with a seven-point lead over Atletico Madrid and Real Sociedad, have the best attack (35 goals) and the third-best defence with 15 goals conceded. And yet the performances of late must have put worry lines on coach Ancelotti’s forehead.
“We suffered a lot,” Ancelotti admitted after the win against Bilbao, his team showing signs of fatigue after four games in eleven days. But there is no break, the next English week with important top matches is coming up.
Will a tired Real Madrid slip up in the Basque Country on Saturday evening? Before Real Sociedad vs. Real Madrid, the betting odds on a draw as well as on Real Sociedad’s home win are quite good and interesting.
Predicted Real Madrid line-up:
Courtois – Carvajal, Militao, Alaba, Mendy – Casemiro, Kroos, Modric – Asensio, Benzema, Vinicius Jr.
Last matches played by Real Madrid:
LaLiga
12/01 2021 – Real Madrid 1 – 0 Athletic Bilbao
11/28 2021 – Real Madrid 2 – 1 Sevilla
Champions League Grp. D
11/24 2021 – FC Sheriff 0 – 3 Real Madrid
LaLiga
11/21 2021 – Granada 1 – 4 Real Madrid
11/06 2021 – Real Madrid 2 – 1 Rayo Vallecano
Real Sociedad – Real Madrid Direct Comparison / H2H Balance
Fittingly, the last two duels also ended in draws: 1-1 in Madrid last season, 0-0 in San Sebastian. Both were close and not very exciting matches, with few goalmouth scares and highlights.
If we look at the balance of the last ten duels, we see a fairly even picture: five wins for Real Madrid, two draws and three victories for Real Sociedad. So if you’re expecting a close game, you’re probably not wrong with your prediction for Real Sociedad vs. Real Madrid.
Real Sociedad – Real Madrid Tip
Real Madrid have won seven games in a row and have won their last four La Liga games to sit comfortably at the top of the table. But since the performances have left a lot to be desired lately, and the victories were quite undeserved and lucky, Real Sociedad definitely has something to gain.
And even more so because the Basques themselves are playing a very strong season and are still unbeaten at home. As Real Madrid also looked extremely tired most recently against Bilbao on Wednesday, we believe that the league leader will lose a point.
Therefore, our prediction for Real Sociedad vs. Real Madrid is: The top match in La Liga will end in a draw
