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La Liga
Jan 31, 2015 at 3pm UK
 
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4-1

Rodríguez (3'), Ramos (37'), Benzema (52', 76')
FT(HT: 2-1)

Preview: Real Madrid vs. Real Sociedad

:Headline: Preview: Real Madrid vs. Real Sociedad: ID:202188: from db_amp
Sports Mole previews Saturday's La Liga match between a Cristiano Ronaldo-less Real Madrid and David Moyes's Real Sociedad at the Bernabeu.

Having already toppled the mighty Barcelona during his time in Spain, David Moyes will take his Real Sociedad side to the Bernabeu to face Real Madrid this weekend having served a two-game touchline ban.

It is a daunting task for the visitors, with Madrid leading the way in La Liga and having only been beaten once in front of their own fans all season.

However, the hosts will be without their talisman Cristiano Ronaldo as he begins a two-match ban for kicking out at Cordoba's Edimar during last weekend's 2-1 win at the Estadio Nuevo Arcangel.

Madrid were forced to wait until late to get that victory, with Gareth Bale stepping up in Ronaldo's absence with an 89th-minute penalty that completed the turnaround.

Carlo Ancelotti will be hoping that the Welshman, who has received criticism for his performances and decision-making at times this season, is once again ready to fill the void left by the Portuguese striker this weekend.

Even without Ronaldo, Madrid have the firepower to cause any side in the world problems, and a fourth straight league victory would temporarily give them a four-point cushion over Barcelona with a game in hand over their closest rivals.

Only Atletico Madrid have prevented Real from winning at the Bernabeu this season, while they have won six home league games in a row, scoring 24 goals and conceding just three in the process. Indeed, you have to go back to September 2013 for the last time Real failed to score at home in the league.

With Karim Benzema having ended his longest goal drought of the season against Cordoba, he will lead the line once again this weekend, while Ronaldo's suspension could pave the way for Jese to make his first start since returning from a lengthy knee ligament injury.

Isco, Pepe and Luka Modric are all still doubts, however, which could mean that the likes of Sami Khedira and Raphael Varane keep their places in the starting XI.

Sociedad have not had the best of times overall this season, but they have managed to raise their game against the big boys in La Liga so far.

Atletico and Barca have both been beaten by the Basque outfit, while they came from two goals down to beat Madrid 4-2 in the reverse of this fixture at the end of August.

Moyes has set about rebuilding his shattered reputation since arriving in Spain, and his side have been beaten just twice in his nine league matches at the helm.

That run has seen them climb away from danger and towards the top half of the table, although any ambitions of European football look to have fallen by the wayside long ago.

Their big-game performances this season will give them confidence of pulling off another shock, but their record at the Bernabeu is a dismal one. They have not won there since a memorable 4-1 victory in May 2004, only avoiding defeat on one occasion over the last decade.

In addition to that, they have conceded at least four goals on each of their last four visits, while Madrid have won all of their last 14 home matches against Basque sides.

To make matters worse, Sociedad are the only side in La Liga yet to pick up an away victory this season, with no side amassing fewer points on their travels.

Xabi Prieto got the only goal of the game against Eibar last time out and the skipper is once again expected to lead the side from midfield, with Carlos Vela and Sergio Canales providing support for Imanol Agirretxe.

Real Madrid:

Form in La Liga: WWLWWW
Form in all competitions: LLWDWW

Possible starting lineup: Casillas; Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo; Khedira, Kroos, Rodriguez; Bale, Benzema, Jese

Real Sociedad:

Form in La Liga: DDWDLW
Form in all competitions: WLDDLW

Possible starting lineup: Rulli; Elustondo, Gonzalez, Martinez, Yuri; Granero, Pardo, Vela, Prieto, Canales; Agirretxe

Sports Mole says: 3-1


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2Barcelona38267579443585
3GironaGirona38256785463981
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5Athletic Bilbao381911861372468
6Real Sociedad3816121051391260
7Real BetisBetis38141594845357
8Villarreal381411136565053
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11Osasuna38129174556-1145
12Getafe381013154254-1243
13Celta Vigo381011174657-1141
14Sevilla381011174854-641
15Mallorca38816143344-1140
16Las PalmasLas Palmas381010183347-1440
17Rayo Vallecano38814162948-1938
RCadizCadiz38615172655-2933
RAlmeria38312234375-3221
RGranada3849253879-4121
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