Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad: lineups, injuries and what to watch in J24

Real Madrid welcome Real Sociedad to the Santiago Bernabéu in a pivotal LaLiga meeting as the title race tightens. With important absences for the home side and a reinvigorated visiting team on a seven-game unbeaten run in the league, this fixture could reshape the hunt for the top spot. Kickoff is scheduled for 3: 00 PM ET.

Match context and stakes

The clash arrives with Real Madrid sitting second in the table, just one point behind the leaders. A win would keep pressure on the summit and maintain momentum in a season that has been patchy for the hosts. Real Sociedad, eighth in the standings, brings confidence from cup progress and a lengthy unbeaten stretch in LaLiga, making them a dangerous opponent despite the gap in the table.

Confirmed lineups

Real Madrid line up with Thibaut Courtois in goal behind a back four of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dean Huijsen, Antonio Rüdiger and Álvaro Carreras. The midfield features Aurélien Tchouaméni, Federico Valverde and Eduardo Camavinga, with Arda Güler offering creativity behind the front two of Gonzalo and Vinícius Júnior. Kylian Mbappé is fit enough to be in the matchday squad but starts on the bench after separate training sessions this week.

Real Sociedad present a balanced side with Álex Remiro in goal and a defensive unit of Aramburu, Jon Martín, Igor Zubeldia and Aihen. The midfield is anchored by Jon Gorrotxategui and Carlos Soler, while Mikel Oyarzabal leads the attack supported by Pablo Marín and Wesley. The visitors will look to frustrate and hit on transitions.

Injuries and availability: key absences for Madrid

The hosts are missing several important players. Jude Bellingham is out with a semitendinosus muscle injury and is expected to be sidelined for around two months. Rodrygo is unavailable while he manages tendinitis in his right hamstring, with his return date dependent on recovery. Defender Éder Militão continues to recover from a biceps femoral tear in his left leg and is not available for this fixture; his return is targeted for early April. Despite these setbacks, Vinícius Júnior returns to the starting XI after serving a one-match suspension.

Real Sociedad form and discipline concerns

Real Sociedad arrive buoyed by a 1-0 win in the Copa del Rey semifinal first leg and a seven-match unbeaten run in the league. Their attacking balance and set-piece threat have been notable, but the visiting side has shown disciplinary issues recently, picking up three red cards in their last five domestic matches. That indiscipline could be decisive at the Bernabéu, where fine margins often determine results.

Tactical angles and what to watch

Without Bellingham and Militão, Real Madrid must find stability through midfield work-rate and defensive organisation. Expect heavy reliance on Valverde and Tchouaméni to connect defence and attack, while Camavinga's energy will be crucial to close down spaces and recover possession. Gonzalo's link-up play with Vinícius will be a focal point for Madrid's chances.

For Real Sociedad, closing down the Madrid full-backs and exploiting transitions will be priorities. Carlos Soler’s playmaking and Oyarzabal’s movement can unsettle the hosts, especially if Madrid commit numbers forward searching for a breakthrough. Set pieces and counter-attacks represent the clearest avenues for the visitors to snatch a result.

Kickoff, broadcast and implications

The match kicks off at 3: 00 PM ET. A Madrid victory keeps pressure on the leaders and preserves hopes of overtaking the summit as the season hits the business end. Any slip-up at home would hand momentum to challengers and reward the resilient Sociedad side that has proven difficult to beat in recent weeks.