Real Madrid will begin their title defense against Real Sociedad on Sunday.
The Spanish giants finished five points ahead of rivals Barcelona last season, securing their 34th La Liga title. Zinedine Zidane will want to make a good start this time around, especially as Ronald Koeman is determined to fix the problems at Camp Nou and look to challenge again this season.
Zinedine Zidane will want to dominate the first game. / Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images
Real Sociedad, on the other hand, will be looking to improve on an impressive 2019/20 campaign. Their 56 points last season was a respectable return and saw them through to the Europa League group stage – although they were still 14 points behind Sevilla who made it to the UEFA Champions League final.
They also won the race to sign Manchester City star David Silva this summer, and the midfielder could make his debut this weekend.
When is kick off? Sunday, September 20
What time is kick off? 20.00 (BST)
Where is it being played? Inuita Stadium
TV channel/live stream? Premier Player HD (UK)
The referee? Juan Martinez Monera
Madrid have so far been unable to seriously add to their squad this summer after being hit financially by the coronavirus pandemic. One positive thing is that he finally got Zidane Vs. Gareth Bale’s failure behind them, as the Welshman will once again be playing Premier League football for Spurs this season. Sergio Reguilón will also join the north London outfit permanently, having spent last season on loan at Seville.
Madrid have a lot of injuries this weekend. Eden Hazard, Lucas Vazquez, Isco and Marco Asensio are out, while Mariano Diaz is also unavailable after tonsillitis surgery. Luka Jovic and Martin Odegaard could both train with the squad on Friday.
Odegaard was one of the best midfielders in La Liga last season. / D Foodie Images/Getty Images
If he does play, the game will be particularly important for Odegaard, who impressed on loan at Sociedad last term. After signing as a 16-year-old in 2015, he is finally ready to get his chance at Madrid.
Sociedad will once again be missing former Madrid player Asier Illarramendi, and Luca Sangalli, Martin Merquelanz and Martin Zubimendi are all struggling with injury as well. Willian Jose could play but is still a doubt due to illness.
Brand: Real Madrid will debut their third kit against Sociedad. #RSORMA pic.twitter.com/bsmEGSj0Ms
— M•A•J (@Ultra_Suristic) September 17, 2020
Real Sociedad (4-2-3-1): I miss; Gorosabel, Elustondo, Llorente, Muñoz; Guevara, Merino; Januzaj, Lopez, Oyersball; Isk.
Real Madrid (4-3-3): Courtois Carvajal, Ramos, Varane, Marcelo; Modric, Casemiro, Kroos; Vinicius Jr., Benzema, Rodrigo.
Real Madrid have not competed since being knocked out of the 19/20 UEFA Champions League by Manchester City in August.
Sociedad continued their La Liga campaign last weekend, but were held to a 1-1 draw by Real Valladolid, with Roberto Lopez scoring the equaliser.
Real Madrid have not played competitively since being knocked out by Manchester City in the Champions League. / Sean Bottrell / Getty Images
Here are the last five results for each side.
Real society
Real Valladolid 1-1 Real Sociedad (13/9)
Atletico Madrid 1-1 Real Sociedad (19/7)
Real Sociedad 0-0 Seville (16/7)
Villarreal 1-2 Real Sociedad (13/7)
Real Sociedad 2-3 (10/7)
Real Madrid
Manchester City 2-1 Real Madrid (7/8)
Leganes 2-2 Real Madrid (19/9)
Real Madrid 2-1 Villarreal (16/9)
Granada 1-2 Real Madrid (13/9)
Real Madrid 2-0 Alois (10/9)
Madrid should get off to a winning start. / Quality Sports Images/Getty Images
The two sides last met at the Inuit Stadium in June, with Madrid winning 2-1 thanks to goals from Sergio Ramos and Karim Benzema.
This will no doubt be another trick game for Los Blancos and their defense will be tested once again – especially players like Adnan Januzaj and Mikel Oyersbaal.
However, Madrid’s talent should prevail, especially if their world-class midfield three can take early control and dictate play, rather than allowing Sociedad to disrupt Madrid’s early-season rhythm. Give it a chance to put.
prediction: Real society 1-2 Real Madrid