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Real Madrid logo
La Liga
Jan 31, 2015 at 3pm UK
 
Real Sociedad logo

4-1

Rodríguez (3'), Ramos (37'), Benzema (52', 76')
FT(HT: 2-1)

Preview: Real Madrid vs. Real Sociedad

Sports Mole previews Saturday's La Liga match between a Cristiano Ronaldo-less Real Madrid and David Moyes's Real Sociedad at the Bernabeu.

Having already toppled the mighty Barcelona during his time in Spain, David Moyes will take his Real Sociedad side to the Bernabeu to face Real Madrid this weekend having served a two-game touchline ban.

It is a daunting task for the visitors, with Madrid leading the way in La Liga and having only been beaten once in front of their own fans all season.

However, the hosts will be without their talisman Cristiano Ronaldo as he begins a two-match ban for kicking out at Cordoba's Edimar during last weekend's 2-1 win at the Estadio Nuevo Arcangel.

Madrid were forced to wait until late to get that victory, with Gareth Bale stepping up in Ronaldo's absence with an 89th-minute penalty that completed the turnaround.

Carlo Ancelotti will be hoping that the Welshman, who has received criticism for his performances and decision-making at times this season, is once again ready to fill the void left by the Portuguese striker this weekend.

Even without Ronaldo, Madrid have the firepower to cause any side in the world problems, and a fourth straight league victory would temporarily give them a four-point cushion over Barcelona with a game in hand over their closest rivals.

Only Atletico Madrid have prevented Real from winning at the Bernabeu this season, while they have won six home league games in a row, scoring 24 goals and conceding just three in the process. Indeed, you have to go back to September 2013 for the last time Real failed to score at home in the league.

With Karim Benzema having ended his longest goal drought of the season against Cordoba, he will lead the line once again this weekend, while Ronaldo's suspension could pave the way for Jese to make his first start since returning from a lengthy knee ligament injury.

Isco, Pepe and Luka Modric are all still doubts, however, which could mean that the likes of Sami Khedira and Raphael Varane keep their places in the starting XI.

Sociedad have not had the best of times overall this season, but they have managed to raise their game against the big boys in La Liga so far.

Atletico and Barca have both been beaten by the Basque outfit, while they came from two goals down to beat Madrid 4-2 in the reverse of this fixture at the end of August.

Moyes has set about rebuilding his shattered reputation since arriving in Spain, and his side have been beaten just twice in his nine league matches at the helm.

That run has seen them climb away from danger and towards the top half of the table, although any ambitions of European football look to have fallen by the wayside long ago.

Their big-game performances this season will give them confidence of pulling off another shock, but their record at the Bernabeu is a dismal one. They have not won there since a memorable 4-1 victory in May 2004, only avoiding defeat on one occasion over the last decade.

In addition to that, they have conceded at least four goals on each of their last four visits, while Madrid have won all of their last 14 home matches against Basque sides.

To make matters worse, Sociedad are the only side in La Liga yet to pick up an away victory this season, with no side amassing fewer points on their travels.

Xabi Prieto got the only goal of the game against Eibar last time out and the skipper is once again expected to lead the side from midfield, with Carlos Vela and Sergio Canales providing support for Imanol Agirretxe.

Real Madrid:

Form in La Liga: WWLWWW
Form in all competitions: LLWDWW

Possible starting lineup: Casillas; Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo; Khedira, Kroos, Rodriguez; Bale, Benzema, Jese

Real Sociedad:

Form in La Liga: DDWDLW
Form in all competitions: WLDDLW

Possible starting lineup: Rulli; Elustondo, Gonzalez, Martinez, Yuri; Granero, Pardo, Vela, Prieto, Canales; Agirretxe

Sports Mole says: 3-1


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Written by
Barney Corkhill
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Real Madrid's defender Nacho celebrates after scoring during the Spanish league football match Real Madrid CF vs RCD Espanyol at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on January 10, 2015
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona17122350193138
2Atletico MadridAtletico17115131112038
3Real Madrid17114237162137
4Athletic Bilbao1795326151132
5Mallorca188371821-327
6Villarreal157532725226
7Osasuna176742225-325
8Real Sociedad167361611524
9GironaGirona176472325-222
10Sevilla176471823-522
11Real BetisBetis165651820-221
12Celta Vigo176382528-321
13Rayo Vallecano165561819-120
14Las PalmasLas Palmas165382227-518
15Getafe173771114-316
16AlavesAlaves164391827-915
17Leganes163671423-915
18Espanyol1642101528-1314
19Real ValladolidValladolid1733111234-2212
20Valencia152491323-1010


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