Tuesday brings an exciting football fixture list across Europe, with games played in major competitions, including the English Premier League. Our football writers have already previewed a mouth-watering London derby involving Arsenal and Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium. You can read our in-depth preview and predictions elsewhere on this site, but on this page, we focus on the play from the Spanish La Liga, where things are warming up nicely with a grandstand finish expected.
Three games will be played in the top tier of the game in Spain tonight, and the play begins at 18:30 when Almeria hosts Elche, and Barcelona holds the home advantage over Osasuna in a game they are favourites to win. That piles the pressure on Real Madrid, who are watching the hard-earned title won last season slipping through their grasp. Barca sits in pole position, and with time running out, every game is now a must-win for Blancos.
They’ll aim to leave Sociedad with a maximum of three points but must be wary of their opponents performing better than expected this term. Sociedad is chasing a top-four finish and spot in next season’s UEFA Champions League, but there’s still work to be done on that front with Villarreal breathing down their necks. This promises to be a gripping and tense 90 minutes of play, but which team will claim the desired result? The pair ended goalless earlier this year, meaning armchair fans hope for much better from this renewal.
Sociedad pushing for Europe
Real Sociedad has caught the attention of our team of football writers this season as they punch above their weight in La Liga. The home team enters game 33 of their season, placed fourth with every chance of making it into the Champions League. A spot in the top four will give Sociedad entry to Europe’s premier competition with the Europa League a safety net. It has already been a memorable year for the club and its fans, but things could improve, especially if they win tonight.
The hosts enter this game with their stats for the campaign, reading 17 wins, seven draws, and eight defeats, scoring 41 goals and conceding 29. The 58 points against their name mean Real Sociedad is already eight points behind Atletico Madrid in third place and five points clear of Villarreal in fifth. That means the focus is now on holding their spot, protecting it from any late attention or drama from Villarreal, who has won their last two. Fans are in for a tense few weeks as their team aims to get across the line.
Their home support will back Sociedad, but they have been inconsistent lately, as their form appears to be shaking under pressure. Real has won three of their last five, drawing one and losing the spare. However, they are unbeaten in three games, bagging seven of the last nine points. They beat Osasuna 2-0 on the road, ensuring the locals kick off with confidence high and the fans expecting another important three points.
Time running out for Madrid
Madrid won the La Liga title and Champions League trophy last season, and they are going well in defence of the latter. But their La Liga defence is faltering and could well soon be dead. Barcelona sits on top of the league with their stats ahead of this round showing 25 wins, four draws, and three defeats, with the 79 points bagged overshadowing the 68 of Real Madrid. With Barca playing earlier tonight, the current champions know what is required tonight and the risks of failing. Their title could rest on this game.
Real Madrid has collected the maximum points from three of their last four games, losing the other. They were last seen beating Almeria 4-2 at home at the weekend. That was a game the champions were expected to win, and they had no trouble living up to the hype. The p[layers deserve credit for getting the job done in style, scoring four goals, and winning comfortably. Rodrygo and a sublime hat trick from Benzema scored the goals in a timely reminder of what this club can do when in the mood.
Madrid players have been guilty of blowing hot and cold this season, and you’ll find evidence in their last two games. That 4-2 win over Almeria was impressive, but it came hot on the heels of a shock 4-2 defeat away to Girona last week. That came out of the blue, putting a large dent in Madrid’s chances of making it two in a row. Drop more points this evening; they could be left with only the Champions League to defend.
Real Sociedad v Real Madrid prediction
This is a fascinating game as we have two teams capable of scoring a few goals and claiming a comfortably. But both Real Sociedad and Real Madrid could throw in another woeful show, and that unpredictability makes this game interesting. Madrid has the big-match experience, which could help them sneak a crucial away win.
La Liga odds
You can bet on this game at 22bet, where Real Sociedad is priced at 2,5 the draw 2,80 and victory for Real Madrid at 3,36.
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