Bellingham looking to continue goalscoring form as Real Madrid take on Real Sociedad.

With four wins from four matches to start their La Liga campaign, Real Madrid may find things tougher this Sunday against a Real Sociedad side who have qualified for this year’s Champions League. 

In last season’s clashes, Sociedad held Real Madrid to a 0-0 draw at the Bernabeu, before beating them 2-0 at home towards the back end of the season. 

To make matters worse, it was ex Madridista wide-man Take Kubo who scored one of the goals that night; and he will be aiming to make his mark again this time around. 

The season so far

For Real Madrid, the season could not be going any better as they are the only La Liga team still to hold a 100% winning record. Just before the international break, Jude Bellingham made sure his team remained unbeaten as he scored a late winner against Getafe. 

Adding to the list of Madrid’s victims are Athletic Bilbao, Almeria and Celta Vigo with six goals scored and only one conceded in the three fixtures. 

Although Madrid are usually known for their exhilarating attacking, it is their defence that has given them a base for success so far this season – even with important players missing, they still make things difficult for their opponents. 

The same, however, cannot be said for Sociedad, who have had a tough start to the season – although, they still do remain unbeaten. Imanol Alguacil’s side enforce a very high-tempo style of play that has left their defence largely exposed so far this term – this showed in their most recent fixture against Granada, where they came out 5-3 winners, but the goals they conceded will worry fans as they were simply too easy to cut through.

On the other hand, with Kubo, Brais Mendez and Mikel Oyarzabal making up the front line, they will always have multiple threats going forward. 

The attacking unit must click better than they have done, though, after three draws against relatively poor opposition in Girona, Celta Vigo and Las Palmas prior to the victory over Granada. This has led to the lowly points total of six to start the campaign.

Ones to watch

Jude Bellingham

It is fair to say that Bellingham is loving life in Madrid at the moment. With a staggering five goals and an assist in the opening four league games, he is arguably already Madrid’s most important operator.

Carlo Ancelotti has decided to play Bellingham further forward in almost a free no.10 role to accommodate other midfield players, such as Eduardo Camavinga and Fede Valverde.

This has worked a treat, as Bellingham can go buzzing around the pitch looking to get the ball – and can arrive late in the box to finish off chances. 

With Sociedad struggling defensively, Bellingham could have a field day on Sunday. Martin Zubimendi will have his work cut out in defensive midfield to mark the Englishman.

Take Kubo

The ex Real Madrid winger has gone from strength to strength with Sociedad, and has had an electric start to the season as his three goals and one assist show.

Having now found a place to settle, and a consistent run of games on the right wing, Kubo has knuckled down and proved Madrid might have been wrong to sell him.

New Madrid left back Francisco Garcia may have to dial down his attacking forays to stop the electric Kubo, who has the ability to skip by anyone in a heartbeat and now has the final third quality to take his chances.

One reason that Bellingham is taking up so much of the attacking responsibility is the fact that Vinicius Junior is still injured. The Brazilian wide-man is going to be out for the foreseeable future, so Rodrygo on the other flank will have to provide the attacking flair once again.

Add to that the defensive stalwarts of Thibaut Courtois and Eder Militao, who will not be back until the backend of the season due to ligament injuries, and suddenly Antonio Rudiger and Kepa are hugely important players.

With this fixture taking place at the newly renovated Bernabeu, expect a raucous crowd for a game that could cement Los Blancos as the favourites for a 36th League title.  

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