Real Sociedad vs Real Madrid preview

May 24, 2013
By: Nemanja Lazarevic

Real Madrid vs Realm SociedadReal Sociedad may be sitting in fourth place after the victory over Sevilla, but they need to defeat Real Madrid in order to remain there.

Los Blancos are in poor spirits after losing the Copa del Rey final, and they are hoping to return to winning ways at Anoeta.

With just two games to go Real Sociedad occupy the final Champions League berth, but staying there come end of the season will be no easy task.

La Real are tied on points with Valencia while they have a superior head to head record, but they face two very difficult fixtures.

After playing star-studded Real Madrid at Anoeta, they travel to Riazor to meet relegation-threatened Deportivo and no doubt there will be a lot riding on that game for both sides.

The team at least go into the crucial games high on confidence after the 2-1 victory in Seville saw them return to winning ways after two under-par results.

Real Sociedad are 2.50 (3/2) with Betfred to defeat Real Madrid, but I really don’t see such a great value in those odds.

Outgoing boss Philippe Montanier faces severe selection problems given that Carlos Vela is suspended and Asier Illarramendi is a major doubt.

Given the importance of the match, captain Xabi Prieto will again play through the pain, but at least Mikel Gonzalez returns from suspension.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Bravo – Carlos Martinez, Mikel Gonzalez, Inigo Martinez, De La Bella – Illarramendi, Bergara – Castro, Prieto, Griezmann – Agirretxe.

This season cannot end too soon for Real Madrid after yet another major disappointment that was the defeat in the Copa del Rey final.

Los Blancos were banking on the trophy, especially as they hadn’t lost to their local rivals in the past 14 years, but the excellent run came to an end at the worst possible time for Jose Mourinho’s men.

All that’s left now for los Merengues is to try and give their best in the two remaining games in La Liga and then part ways with the Portuguese manager to start a new era at Santiago Bernabeu.

In all fairness, Real Madrid have been playing really well since that big defeat in Dortmund, meaning odds of 2.75 (7/4) offered at Stan James on away win look pretty tempting.

Cristiano Ronaldo should start as his two-match ban does not apply to the league, with the Portuguese 4.33 (10/3) with bet365 to score the first goal at Anoeta.

Sergio Ramos, Xabi Alonso and Fabio Coentrao have missed some training this week, but they could be in contention for the Real Sociedad clash.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Lopez – Arbeloa, Ramos, Albiol, Coentrao – Modric, Khedira – Di Maria, Ozil, Ronaldo – Benzema.

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