Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad: LaLiga 2026/27 Match Preview

Real Madrid will host Real Sociedad on Wednesday 26 August at the Santiago Bernabéu, opening the 2026/27 LaLiga season. The Whites come after a 2-1 win over Espanyol, while Real Sociedad arrives after a 1-0 loss to Betis and seeks to bounce back.

Real Madrid will host Real Sociedad on Wednesday 26 August at the Santiago Bernabéu, opening the 2026/27 LaLiga season.

Team status

Real Madrid aims to make its stadium a fortress from the first match. After a 2-1 win over Espanyol on Saturday, Jude Bellingham opened the score early, Álex Calatrava equalised, and Carlos Espí sealed the victory in the 90th minute. Real Sociedad, after a 1-0 loss to Real Betis at the Benito Villamarín, needs a quick recovery. Rodrigo Riquelme scored in the 62nd minute, and despite controlling parts of the game with Takefusa Kubo and Ander Barrenetxea, the goal proved decisive.

Prediction

Real Madrid has a clear historical advantage, especially at home, and comes with the momentum from the dramatic win over Espanyol. Real Sociedad can make parts of the match difficult, but the White's effectiveness at key moments usually tips the balance. Forecast: Real Madrid 3-1 Real Sociedad.

Probable line-ups

Real Madrid (4-2-3-1): Courtois; Dumfries, Konaté, Huijsen, Carreras; Valverde, Bernardo Silva; Arda Güler, Bellingham, Vinícius Júnior; Mbappé.

Real Sociedad (4-2-3-1): Remiro; Aramburu, Zubeldía, Caleta-Car, Aihen Muñoz; Turrientes, Sucic; Kubo, Guedes, Barrenetxea; Oyarzabal.

Injuries and absences

Real Madrid still has key absences: Rodrygo, Éder Militão, Ferland Mendy, Raúl Asencio, Thiago Pitarch, and Endrick (muscle overload). Aurélien Tchouaméni is also doubtful due to thigh discomfort. In Real Sociedad, Álvaro Odriozola and Marín are injured, affecting Matarazzo’s availability.