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What is likely to be the biggest game of the fourth matchday of LaLiga EA Sports will pit Real Sociedad against the league leaders, Real Madrid, at the Anoeta. Real Sociedad are experiencing a difficult start to the season, especially after their defeat away to newly promoted Oviedo on matchday three.
However, the San Sebastian side have had time to rebuild and, against Madrid, should be able to field their two new signings from the last day of the summer transfer window, Yangel Herrera and Carlos Soler, who are set to add some quality to the Basque midfield following the departure of Martin Zubimendi this summer.
For their part, Real Madrid are back in action after the return of the numerous players they had scattered around the world in the diaspora of national team matches.
Surprisingly, Brazilians Rodrygo, Vinicius and Éder Militao were not among them, as former Merengues coach Carlo Ancelotti did not call them up for the 'canarinha' commitments, so they are expected to get minutes in San Sebastian and help the team stay at the top of the table.
Real Sociedad vs Real Madrid Predictions
Real Madrid win - 8/13 (Bet365)
Mbappé scores or assists - 8/15 (Bet365)
Under 2.5 goals total - 1/1 (Bet365)
Odds courtesy of bet365. Correct at time of publication and subject to change.
Real Madrid to make it three in three
Real Madrid have not been playing their best at the start of the season, but they are showing outstanding clinicalness in the penalty area, one of Real Sociedad's problems in recent times. Los Blancos have also won their last six league games, and have dominated the San Sebastian side in recent times, winning the last four meetings between the two, and keeping clean sheets in three of them, so a certain authority is expected in Los Blancos' performance.
Tip: Real Madrid to win - 8/13 @ bet365
Explanation: This bet will be a winner if Madrid win.
Mbappé in the thick of the action
Kylian Mbappé is the overwhelming favourite to win the top scorer trophy in the league, something he did in his first season despite his difficult adaptation to the competition, and his influence on the devastating Merengues attack is only growing. The Frenchman has scored three goals in three games, and only against Mallorca did he fail to score. He has also been directly involved in goals in 10 of his last 11 games for Los Merengues, finding the back of the net in the two league meetings between the two sides, scoring three of Madrid's four goals in those two games.
Tip: Mbappé scores or assists - 8/15 @ bet365
Explanation: This bet will be a winner if Mbappé scores or assists in the match.
Less than three goals in the match
It may be a somewhat surprising prediction when two teams who like to attack meet, but it seems far more likely than you might think. That's because four of Real Sociedad's last six league meetings have had two goals or fewer in total, which has also happened in three of Real Madrid's last five and, more importantly and surprisingly, has happened in nine of the last 12 meetings between the two in all competitions, including eight of the last ten league meetings.
Tip: Under 2.5 goals - 1/1 @ bet365
Explanation: This bet will be a winner if there are less than three goals in total in the match
Real Sociedad vs Real Madrid odds
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Odds, correct at the time of publication, are subject to change.