Who: Real Sociedad vs Real Madrid What: Liga BBVA Matchday 36 When: Saturday, April.30 Where: Estadio Anoeta, San Sebastián Time: 16:00 CET Sociedad As a consequence of a 0-0 draw at Villarreal last weekend, Sociedad ensured that they would play La Liga football next season regardless of what happens in their final three matches. They have little to play for except for pride on Saturday afternoon, but they will be keen to claim another scalp in the top flight. Indeed, Sociedad blew the title race wide open when they beat Barcelona 1-0 earlier this month, but they have not won since then - losing to both Eibar and Getafe, in addition to drawing with Villarreal last time out. In truth, it has been a disappointing campaign for the Basque club, who currently sit down in 11th spot on 42 points. Eusebio Sacristans side are now 10 points clear of the bottom three, however, and actually just two points off eighth-placed Valencia. There will be no European football next season, but a top-half finish would represent a fair campaign when considering their struggles under David Moyes. Sociedad have back-to-back home games against Real Madrid and Rayo Vallecano to come, before finishing their season away to Valencia on May 15. Overall, their home form has been quite solid this term, but they have lost two of their last three at the Anoeta - including a disappointing defeat against struggling Getafe on April 21. The Basque outfit secured Champions League football after finishing fourth in the 2012-13 campaign and then managed seventh in 2013-14 to show their credentials as a European challenger in La Liga. They were 12th last season, however, and are heading for another bottom-half finish this time around. Recent form: WLLLWL Real Madrid Victory for Real Madrid at the Anoeta would move them to the top of the table, but in all likelihood, Zinedine Zidanes team will be back in third by the end of play on Saturday night. Nine straight league wins have moved Los Blancos back into title contention, but they are one point behind both Atletico and Barcelona and will need the top two to slip up in order to bring the trophy to the Bernabeu this season. Real Madrid's title challenge looked to be over when they lost 1-0 at home to Atletico at the end of February, but they have taken maximum points from their nine games since then - including a 3-2 win at Rayo Vallecano last weekend, when they had to come from two goals behind in the capital. The capital giants are actually on their best run of league form since 2014 and away from home, have not lost any of their last nine league matches - recording six wins in the process. Unless Barcelona and Atletico both suffer defeats, Real Madrid will need to win their final three league matches to stand a chance of winning the title. Next weekend, they will welcome Valencia, before travelling to Deportivo La Coruna on the final weekend of the season. It does appear that the Whites will ultimately fall short, but there have been signs of encouragement under Zidane, who took the reins from Rafael Benitez earlier this season. As well as the league, Los Blancos have a Champions League semi-final to think about. On Tuesday, they drew 0-0 at Manchester City in the first leg and will welcome the Premier League side for the return match next week. European football must be put to one side this weekend, however, as Real Madrid look to keep their league challenge on track. Recent form: WWWWWW Recent form (all competitions): WWWWWD Team News Sociedad will be without the services of Carlos Martinez and Imanol Agirretxe through injury, while Carlos Vela will miss the clash through suspension, leaving Eusebio short of options in the final third. Bruma is pushing for a spot in a wide position, but Mikel Oyarzabal is expected to keep his position in the team. As for Real Madrid, Zidane is not expected to take a chance on Cristiano Ronaldo, who missed Tuesday's Champions League semi-final first leg against Man City with a thigh problem. The Portuguese is expected to return for the second leg at the Bernabeu next week, but it is unlikely that he will play this weekend. Karim Benzema, meanwhile, will miss out with a hamstring injury which he picked up in the European fixture. Jese Rodriguez and Lucas Vasquez are both pushing for starts in the final third, while James Rodriguez will be hoping to feature after failing to come off the bench against Man City at the Etihad. Further back, Raphael Varane is expected to be introduced ahead of Pepe, who could be rested. Sociedad possible starting lineup: Rulli; Zaldua, Elustondo, I.Martinez, Yuri; Illarramendi, Reyes, Bergara; Mikel, Bruma, Zurutuza Real Madrid possible starting lineup: Navas; Danilo, Ramos, Varane, Marcelo; Kroos, Casemiro, Modric; Vazquez, Jese, Bale Head To Head Sociedad have won just one of their last 17 league games against Real Madrid - losing 13 times in the process. That said, that sole success (4-2) came when the two teams met at the Anoeta towards the start of last season. Since then, Real Madrid have beaten Sociedad 4-1 and 3-1 at the Bernabeu and also hit nine goals against the Basque outfit across their two league games in the 2013-14 campaign. This will be a tough game, but i believe in Madrid. HALA MADRID!
Tempting to give Kroos a rest and sub out Marcelo and Bale during the game if we're winning. With the injuries in attack and Bale's history, I'm a bit on edge.
I've wanted to say this for a while now but i just wasn't posting it. Maybe it's time we let go of La Liga. It's not that i don't believe that we can win it, i just believe we have a better chance at winning UCL. Our players are breaking by the day, they are tired and fragile at this point. UCL should be a priority at this point, we can still give La Liga a run but it's not worth risking Undecima for it. I mean, the year we won La Decima, no one remembers/cares that Atletico won La Liga (and they were so tired because of it, which showed in the final). We have a good bench with players like Kovacic, Nacho, Danilo (for the lulz), Varane, Jese, Isco and James. Even Kiko can replace Keylor, he's a decent GK. Hell, even Zizou can take a break from coaching, Arbeloa is the brain of this operation anyway.
I agree but would add playing the likes of Isco, James,Kovacic and Varane would not harm our La Liga challenge one bit and will improve are Champions League chances as these players would be in better form if/when needed to come of the bench
Madrid should take care of these guys but it won't be easy. Away game and mid-tier team with something to prove is always dangerous. This is Society's CL Final. I expect the team to struggle early on especially without CR. For all those things people said about CR, you guys will miss his goals. A win but not an easy one.
No Cristiano, Benzema or Kroos (being given a rest) in the squad. REAL MADRID SQUAD: Goalkeepers: Keylor Navas, Casilla and Yáñez. Defenders: Varane, Pepe, Ramos, Nacho, Marcelo, Carvajal and Danilo. Midfielders: James, Casemiro, Bale, Kovacic, Modric and Isco. Forwards: Lucas Vázquez, Jesé and Borja Mayoral. http://www.realmadrid.com/en/news/2016/04/19-man-squad-for-the-match-against-real-sociedad My preferred starting lineup... I think playing Mayoral will help prevent Bale from tangling too much with their CBs, something he would have to do if he played as the #9. Kovacic and Nacho, to allow Modric and Marcelo to start at City + Valencia. Also, even though Danilo sucks ass, I think it's better to save Carvajal for the City game. Bale - Mayoral - James Isco - Casemiro - Kovacic Nacho - Ramos - Pepe - Danilo Navas
I don't wanna give up on the league. Yes we should prioritize the CL, but we fight for this thing until the last minute Hopefully we get an early strong leas and rest some guys KOVA time
I am watching the team enter Anoeta. They all seem so tense. I also wonder if it would have made more sense to give Mariano a chance instead of Borja.. He's the leading scorer in Castilla with 22 goals.
Mayoral starts that's good. James gets a much needed start as well. Nice to see Nacho back. VAMOS! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
No Ronaldo, no Benzema (among others), this will be tough... good to see James. Shame Danilo is playing. I'll be honest, never seen Mayoral.
Strong enough starting 11 to win this game. Will be super interesting to watch Mayoral. Pressure game to see how he handles himself.