La Liga | Gameweek 38

May 24, 2025 at 3:15pm UK

Estadio Santiago Bernabeu

Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad

Match preview

Real Madrid claimed the UEFA Super Cup in August, but it remains their only trophy for the 2024-25 season, as they fell short in La Liga, the Champions League, the Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup.

Only four points separate Los Blancos from Barcelona in the La Liga standings, making it a closely contested season, though the Catalan side has been the top performer in Spain's premier league this year.

Real Madrid's overall performance has drawn scrutiny this season, with the team unable to match the excellence of their 2023-24 campaign, which saw them secure both La Liga and the Champions League titles.

Carlo Ancelotti's second tenure as head coach will conclude on Sunday, with Xabi Alonso poised to take over soon, leading the team into the Club World Cup.

Real Madrid has won their last two league matches against Mallorca and Sevilla, and they aim to close out the season with another victory on Saturday before starting their Club World Cup campaign on June 18 against Al-Hilal from the Saudi Pro League.

This match will be a poignant moment for Luka Modric, as he prepares for his final appearance at the Bernabeu for Real Madrid, following the confirmation of his departure this summer.

Real Sociedad ended last season in sixth place in La Liga and has not finished lower than ninth since 2015, making this campaign a notable disappointment for the Basque team.

La Real has recorded 13 wins, seven draws, and 17 losses in their 37 league games, leaving them in 11th position with 46 points—trailing Mallorca by one point and Osasuna by five.

The White and Blues are likely to end in 10th, 11th, or 12th, signaling a summer of transitions, including the departure of head coach Imanol Alguacil and key players like Martin Zubimendi.

Real Sociedad enters this game after a 3-2 win over Girona, their first victory since early April, but they have lost nine of their 18 away La Liga matches this season.

La Real has lost their last three La Liga encounters with Real Madrid, including a 2-0 defeat in the earlier matchup this season and a 2-1 loss at the Bernabeu in 2023-24.

Recent Performance

Real Madrid La Liga form: WWWLWW

Real Madrid form (all competitions): WLWLWW

Real Sociedad La Liga form: DLDLLW

Team News

Real Madrid's appeal for Jude Bellingham's yellow card in the Sevilla win was unsuccessful, so the England international will miss Ancelotti's final match due to suspension.

Antonio Rudiger, Ferland Mendy, David Alaba, Eduardo Camavinga, Rodrygo, and Dani Carvajal remain absent, along with the newly injured Endrick, but Brahim Diaz and Vinicius Junior are back in the squad.

Lucas Vazquez and Luka Modric are set to make their last league appearances for Real Madrid this weekend, with Vazquez expected to leave this summer as well.

Kylian Mbappe will start again for Los Blancos, aiming to add to his 41 goals in an outstanding debut season, while Raul Asencio has recovered from his muscular issue and is available.

For Real Sociedad, Aihen Munoz returns after serving his suspension, but Nayef Aguerd, Sheraldo Becker, and Orri Oskarsson are still doubtful due to injuries.

Martin Zubimendi is slated for his final game with La Real, as he prepares to depart this summer, with Arsenal leading the race for the Spanish international.

Mikel Oyarzabal is expected to lead the attack for the visitors, with Pablo Marin and Brais Mendez also likely to start at the Bernabeu.

Possible starting lineup

Real Madrid possible starting lineup:

Courtois; Vazquez, Asensio, Tchouameni, F Garcia; Valverde, Modric, Ceballos; Guler, Mbappe, Vinicius

Real Sociedad possible starting lineup:

Remiro; Traore, Elustondo, Zubeldia, Munoz; Zubimendi, Marin; Kubo, Mendez, Barrenetxea; Oyarzabal