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Sitting third in the table, Real Sociedad will look to prove that they are title candidates when top side Real Madrid come to town.
Two of the top performing teams in LaLiga Santander this season will go head to head on Saturday night at 9pm CET: Real Sociedad host Real Madrid at the Reale Arena. This is a date that supporters of both clubs have had circled in red for several weeks, as these two title contenders square off under the floodlights in Matchday 16.
The last time Real Sociedad mounted a serious title challenge was back in 2002/03, finishing second and just two points behind champions Real Madrid. La Real supporters know, therefore, just how important every single point is during a league campaign and how big a boost it can be to win a six-pointer like this one.
The Basque outfit have already demonstrated that they are candidates for the LaLiga Santander championship this season, but this is arguably the biggest test yet of those title credentials. Although Real Sociedad are third and level on points with Atlético de Madrid, Real Madrid are seven points ahead in first place. If the Txuri-Urdin want to keep pace with the capital city side, they need at least a draw this weekend.
Real Madrid extended their lead at the top this week with a win over another Basque side on Wednesday night, overcoming Athletic Club 1-0 to make it seven victories in a row across all competitions. Real Sociedad, meanwhile, warmed up by thrashing lower league side Panadería Pulido 4-0 in the Copa del Rey, but did lose their most recent LaLiga Santander outing 1-0 to Espanyol on Matchday 15. This means that their only two losses of the season came on the opening matchday and the most recent one, with Imanol Alguacil’s young and injury-ravaged squad grinding out victory after victory in between.
The clubs that have led 14 of the 15 matchdays so far
Real Sociedad’s great form saw them lead the LaLiga Santander table between Matchday 9 and Matchday 13, enjoying five rounds at the summit of the standings. Real Madrid, meanwhile, have been top since Matchday 14 and were also in first place after Matchday 1 and between Matchday 3 and 8, meaning they’ve been leading the way for nine of the rounds held so far.
The only other club not named Real Sociedad or Real Madrid to have been top of the table this season is Sevilla FC, who reached the summit at the end of Matchday 2. It’s clear, then, that Saturday night’s rivals have been the most consistent title challengers so far.
This makes sense, considering they have some of the most talented players of LaLiga Santander in their squads. Real Madrid have the division’s top two scorers in Karim Benzema and Vinícius, who have 12 and nine goals respectively. Benzema was named September Player of the Month, while Real Sociedad centre-back Robin Le Normand took home the October Player of the Month prize. As well as Le Normand, Real Sociedad have been steered towards the top of the table by the quality of players such as Mikel Merino, David Silva, Adnan Januzaj and Alexander Isak.
Imanol’s impressive record against Real Madrid
There is quiet optimism in San Sebastián about this game, partly because of the team’s great play this season and also because of their recent results against Real Madrid. Coach Imanol Alguacil has faced Real Madrid seven times as the club’s head coach and has won more than he has lost, with three victories, two draws and two defeats.
Last season, both of the meetings between these teams were draws: a 0-0 stalemate at the Reale Arena, and a 1-1 in the Spanish capital late in the season that ultimately cost Real Madrid the title. Imanol even knocked Real Madrid out of the Copa del Rey, with his side recording a thrilling 4-3 triumph at the Santiago Bernabéu in January 2020 on their way to the title.
Carlo Ancelotti has never faced Imanol before in his coaching career, but the Italian will know that a very tough test awaits this Saturday night.
Watch Real Sociedad vs Real Madrid live this weekend on BeINSports
