Real Sociedad vs Real Madrid Predictions

• Real Madrid have won their last three matches against Real Sociedad 
• Real Madrid are in good form and going for glory on all fronts
• Real Sociedad are short of experienced defenders and could start academy star Jon Martin at centre-back

La Real dealt another defensive blow

Real Sociedad are dealing with a defensive injury crisis as they prepare to face quadruple-chasing Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday. Imanol Alguacil is without the services of Jon Pacheco, Igor Zubeldia, Hamari Traore and Luka Sucic for the first leg of this semi-final while Nayef Aguerd also looks likely to miss out after coming off in the first half of Sunday’s 3-0 win over Leganes.

Young academy star Jon Martin, who is still wet behind the ears with only five La Liga appearances to his name, will have to fill in the centre-back position if  the Moroccan star is not deemed fit enough.

That could be a major problem against Real Madrid’s array of world class forwards, although Carlo Ancelotti will be weighing up the benefits of making a couple of changes to his line-up. Endrick and Arder Guler are two young players that have taken their opportunities in this competition this season, but if Real Madrid want take the tie by the scruff of the neck in San Sebastian they could be forced to wait until the stars are rested in the second leg at the Bernabeu.

Los Blancos are much better on paper

If the two coaches picked their strongest available line-ups at the moment then Real Madrid would win most of the time, so the 4/5 quote about a Los Blancos victory in the first leg looks well worth snapping up.

They won 2-0 at the Anoeta in the league back in September thanks to a couple of second half penalties but are now a much more balanced and cohesive side. It is at the back where Ancelotti has had his issues, but the treatment room is beginning to clear now with David Alaba recently following Antonio Rudiger back to first-team action.

Real Sociedad have won only one of their last 10 clashes with the capital club, but did pull off a memorable 4-3 win at the Bernabeu in the clubs’ last cup meeting. It may take something special like that from them to make the tie competitive in Madrud with the visitors good enough to do some damage in the first leg.