90min

Real Madrid predicted lineup vs Real Sociedad - La Liga

By Grey Whitebloom

Carlo Ancelotti has won four of his five managerial meetings with Real Sociedad
Carlo Ancelotti has won four of his five managerial meetings with Real Sociedad / Quality Sport Images/GettyImages
facebooktwitterreddit

La Liga leaders Real Madrid host Real Sociedad in the Spanish top flight on Saturday night.

The Moldovan champions Sheriff Tiraspol are the only side to have earned a victory at the newly polished Santiago Bernabeu this season. Real Madrid haven't lost a home game in La Liga since Levante beat a capital side that played 81 minutes with ten men in January 2021.

Here's the XI Carlo Ancelotti may deploy to preserve their stellar home form.

1. Goalkeeper & defenders

Thibaut Courtois (GK) - Only his opposite number this coming weekend, Alex Remiro (13), has kept more La Liga clean sheets than Courtois this season (11).

Lucas Vazquez (RB) - Only three players in Spain's top flight have created more chances without providing an assist than Madrid's luckless Vazquez this term (21 per FBref).

Eder Militao (CB) - Since March last year, Militao has failed to start just one La Liga match.

Nacho Fernandez (CB) - With David Alaba's full fitness doubtful, Ancelotti may lean upon his ever-reliable everyman to preserve the former Bayern Munich defender ahead of Paris Saint-Germain's midweek visit.

Ferland Mendy (LB) - Despite taking more touches in the final third per game than Luka Modric, Mendy has provided just one assist across his last two seasons in Madrid.

2. Midfielders

Casemiro (DM) - The loss of Madrid's only naturally defensive midfielder through suspension is a brutal blow for the upcoming Champions League tie against PSG.

Luka Modric (CM) - The oldest member of Madrid's squad has scored and provided at least one top-flight assist in each of his last 15 seasons of senior football.

Federico Valverde (CM) - A late hamstring injury picked up by Toni Kroos could open the door to a rare start for Valverde this season.

3. Forwards

Marco Asensio (RW) - Two goals in his last two home games is helping Asensio emerge as the frontrunner for the remaining starting slot in Madrid's attack alongside the undroppable Vitamin VB.

Karim Benzema (ST) - Madrid's leading goalscorer and assist provider needs to create one more goal to hit double digits in both categories for the first time since 2014/15.

Vinicius Junior (LW) - Half of the eight assists Madrid's breakout Brazilian has created this season were scored by Benzema.

Home/Real Madrid