Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad Prediction, Preview, Predicted Lineups and Team News | Copa del Rey

• Competition: Copa del Rey
• Date: 1 April 2025
• Kick-off Time: 7:30 pm GMT
• Venue: Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain

Real Madrid will welcome Real Sociedad at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday evening in the second leg of the Copa del Rey semi-finals. Madrid took the first leg with a 1-0 margin and are the heavy favourites to advance to the grand final. Sociedad, however, have all the tools in the tank to cause a major upset.

Real Madrid has lifted 20 Copa del Rey titles while Real Sociedad has three in the bag. The Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad fixture is one of the biggest games to look out for in Spanish football, and that should be the case on Tuesday as well.

Real Madrid have managed four victories and two defeats in the last six matches. One of the losses came against city rivals, Atletico Madrid, in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League round of 16, which ultimately concluded in a penalty shootout win for the Los Blancos. Defensively, Real Madrid have been all over the place throughout the season and have not kept a clean sheet in the last six matches. Despite that, the defending Spanish and European champions are very much alive in the title race. Carlo Ancelotti will be desperate to advance to the final of the Spanish Cup, which can very well prove to be the only realistic hope for a trophy this campaign. The in-form Kylian Mbappe has been the top scorer this season (33 goals). Real Madrid have scored 2.1 goals per match and conceded 1.0 goals per match in the league so far.

Real Sociedad will not be content or pleased with how the recent matches have played out. In the last six games, the club has accumulated just a single victory to go with three defeats and two draws. During this period, Real Sociedad has scored just five goals and conceded a staggering 13 goals.

Manchester United eliminated Sociedad from the Europa League, which took away Imanol Alguacil's chance at a piece of silverware this season. Takefusa Kubo and Sergio Gomez have been the top scorers (seven) and the most creative players (six) respectively for Real Sociedad this term.

Real Madrid Team News

Real Madrid's inconsistencies this season in defence can be attributed to the recurring injury woes of the defenders. Daniel Carvajal, Ferland Mendy, Eder Militao, and Thibaut Courtois are all battling respective fitness woes. The Belgian goalkeeper is scheduled to return soon but might not be risked in the Copa del Rey. Dani Ceballos is also a key absentee in the midfield for Real Madrid.

Real Sociedad Team News

The Real Sociedad squad will travel to Madrid without the key services of Arsen Zakharyan, Brais Mendez, Jon Pacheco, Nayef Aguerd, and Sheraldo Becker.

Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad Predicted Lineups

Real Madrid Predicted Lineup (4-3-3)

Goalkeeper: Lunin

Defenders: Vasquez, Rudiger, Asencio, Garcia

Midfielders: Valverde, Tchouameni, Bellingham

Forwards: Rodrygo, Mbappe, Vinicius

Real Sociedad Predicted Lineup (4-1-4-1)

Goalkeeper: Remiro

Defenders: Traore, Zubeldia, Elustondo, Lopez

Midfielders: Zubimendi, Kubo, Marin, Olasagasti, Gomez

Forwards: Oyarzabal

Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad H2H Record

Overall, in the last five head-to-head games between Real Madrid and Real Sociedad, Madrid won four games while Sociedad won just a single encounter.

Key Players to Watch in Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad

Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid)

The fall in the performance levels for Real Madrid this season can be attributed to the drastic decline in the displays of Vinicius Junior. The Brazilian has been in and out of the XI and has not shown the required consistency.

Fortunately, for the Madrid fans, Kylian Mbappe has grown out of his early-season struggles and is now one of the leading goalscorers in Europe. It is safe to say that Mbappe has played a major role in Madrid staying alive in the La Liga title race. Carlo Ancelotti will expect the Frenchman to chip in with a goal or two on Tuesday and seal a place in the final.

Kylian Mbappe is just five goals away from breaking the record for the most goals in a debut season by a Real Madrid player. He has 3.5 xG in his last five outings.

Martin Zubimendi (Real Sociedad)

The 25-year-old is certainly doing above and beyond his profile and task role for Real Sociedad this season. Nevertheless, Zubimendi's main objective against Madrid will be to come up with his usual composed self in the midfield.

The Spaniard is one of the most potent holding midfielders in La Liga, and his performance level will directly influence Sociedad's chances. Zubmiendi will also have a personal objective to fill on Tuesday evening with several reports linking him with a move to the Bernabeu in the summer.

Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad Prediction

The undeniable quality in the ranks of Real Madrid will certainly put them as the heavy favourites over Real Sociedad. The visitors, though, will be fueled by the motivation of reaching the final and will not go down without a fight.

Predicted Score: Real Madrid 3-1 Real Sociedad

Where to watch Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad Live?