Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad Picks and Predictions: Back Benzema to Find the Back of the Net

Sunday’s match between Real Madrid and Real Sociedad isn’t a must-win for either team, but losing could eliminate one of the sides from the La Liga title race. 

Real Madrid will enter the match six points adrift of Barcelona atop the La Liga table, having played one fewer match. Real Sociedad, however, sit nine points back level on matches played. Losing on Sunday could all but end their hopes of lifting the trophy.

These two teams tend to get into shootouts when they face off at the Santiago Bernabeu, with the last six meetings seeing a total of 27 goals scored. Will we get more fireworks as both clubs seek critical points?

Find out in our Real Madrid vs. Real Sociedad betting picks for January 29.

Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad best odds

Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad picks and predictions

It’s been a bit of a rough week for Real Madrid off the pitch but not so much on it. Wednesday saw them eliminate rivals Atletico Madrid from the Copa del Rey, winning 3-1 in extra time. The match came on the heels of abuse by Atletico ultras towards Vinicius Junior, whose last-minute goal gave him the last laugh.

However, it was Karim Benzema’s goal that gave them the 2-1 lead and proved to be the winner. Benzema's nine La Liga goals this season lead Real Madrid, despite having played just 10 matches in the league thus far. He’s found the back of the net in eight of his last 10 matches in all competitions.

Real Sociedad know all too well what Benzema is capable of. He’s scored in two of their last four meetings at the Santiago Bernabeu, including their 4-1 win last season when he buried a penalty from the spot. It was his ninth goal against them in 19 matches played in all competitions, to go along with nine assists. 

Real Madrid is second in La Liga in shots on target per match, and Benzema’s 1.51 efforts on goal per 90 minutes rank sixth in the league so far this season. Two of his goals have come from the penalty spot, but he still ranks fifth in non-penalty spot xG goals — and again, that’s in just 10 matches played.

When Benzema's been healthy and gone the full match against Sociedad, more often than not, he’s found the back of the net. He’s also scored in each of his three appearances for Real Madrid at home since the World Cup break ended.

Most books right now have Benzema to score anytime at minus odds, but bet365 has it currently listed at +120. Jump on the French striker to continue both his current hot streak and his excellent history against Real Sociedad on Sunday.

My best bet: Karim Benzema to score anytime (+120 at bet365)

Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad side analysis

Since returning from the World Cup break, Real Madrid has not been as hot as they were prior. After going unbeaten in 12 league games to start the campaign, they’ve lost two of the next five while winning the other three. 

Only one of Madrid’s last five La Liga matches have come at home, which was a 2-1 win over Cadiz. They haven't lost a single home fixture in seven attempts this year and have also yet to lose at the Bernabeu in any competition this season.

Real Sociedad have played nine away matches in the league this year and prevailed in seven of them. They’ve kept four clean sheets on the road, which is the most in the league. Their last match this past week saw them eliminated from the Copa del Rey with a 1-0 defeat to Barcelona. That loss ended a seven-match winning streak away in all competitions and a nine-match winning streak overall. 

Real Madrid have won the last two meetings between these sides. They haven't tasted defeat in any of the last five meetings and have scored in four of those outings. However, Sociedad has had success at the Bernabeu, with two wins in their last five visits. Both teams also come in with long injury lists, but Madrid will likely have Rodrygo available to play. 

Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad Over/Under analysis

The total of 2.5 is fairly balanced, with the Over getting the slight edge at most books. Three of the last four meetings between these two teams have featured two or fewer goals, although the last meeting was a 4-1 Real Madrid win.

Real Madrid’s last match needed extra time to see a third goal scored, but their two matches at the Bernabeu prior to that went Over. Overall, four of their last six matches have seen three or more goals scored. They’ve kept just one clean sheet in that span. 

The visitors have been in some very low-scoring affairs of late. Six of the last seven matches for Real Sociedad have seen two or fewer goals, and they’ve kept clean sheets in five of them. Sociedad also have six clean sheets in their last eight, all coming since the World Cup break.

Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad game info

Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad key injuries

Real Madrid: Rodrygo F (Probable), Eden Hazard F (Probable), Aurelien Tchouameni M (Out), Ferland Mendy D (Out).
Real Sociedad: David Silva M (Out), Umar Sadiq F (Out), Jon Pacheco D (Out). 

Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad weather

11 of the last 13 meetings at the Santiago Bernabeu have seen three or more goals scored. 

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