Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad: Madrid's fumbling La Liga title challenge dealt another blow

Re-live the action from Santiago Bernabeu

(Getty)

Real Madrid slumped to a 2-0 home defeat to Real Sociedad to deliver another blow to their fumbling title challenge in LaLiga.

Willian Jose opened the scoring from the penalty spot inside three minutes and, after Lucas Vazquez was sent off just after the hour mark, Ruben Pardo wrapped up the victory for the visitors inside the final 10 minutes.

Re-live the action below:

When is it?

Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad gets underway at 17:30 GMT.

Where to watch

Eleven Sports are showing live coverage on the tie on Elven Sports 1

Odds

Real Madrid to win: 2/5

Real Sociedad to win: 7/1

Draw: 4/1

Prediction

Real Madrid 3-1 Real Sociedad: It’s been two weeks since the visitors last played a league game and the tests do not come much tougher than this. Real Madrid have been inconsistent in the league this season, but they should be able to seal the three points from this one.

[6 January 2019 14:48 · Jack Watson]

Welcome

Good afternoon and welcome to The Independent's live coverage of Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad in La Liga. FA Cup? Never heard of it.

We'll have live coverage of the 17:30 kick-off and team news from around an hour before.

Until then, you can delve into the murky, and somewhat amusing, world of Manchester City-Real Madrid transfer negotiations that are specifically being put in place to hinder Manchester United. 

[6 January 2019 16:16 · Jack Watson]

Team news

[6 January 2019 16:45 · Callum Rice-Coates]

This is a big game for both sides. Real Madrid, after their 2-2 draw at Villarreal on Thursday night, are desperate for a win to remain within touching distance of Barcelona. They're currently sitting in fifth, seven points off top and still not looking convincing under new coach Santiago Solari. 

For Real Sociedad, relegation remains a serious concern. They sit in 15th, on the back of four consecutive defeats and just three points clear of the bottom three. A result here would be a big boost for the visitors.

[6 January 2019 16:52 · Callum Rice-Coates]

It's a big day for Vinicius Junior, who makes his first La Liga start for Real Madrid. The 18-year-old, expected to be one of the next generation of Galácticos, has been restricted to only six league appearances so far this season, totalling just 61 minutes. Today, with several Real forwards injured - Gareth Bale and Marco Asensio are unavailable - Vinicius gets his chance. 

[6 January 2019 16:57 · Callum Rice-Coates]

[6 January 2019 17:10 · Callum Rice-Coates]

  ↵Elsewhere 

It's finished level between third-placed Sevilla and second-placed Atletico Madrid at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán. Wissam Ben Yedder gave the hosts the lead before Antoine Griezmann's equaliser on the stroke of half time. 

That result means Real Madrid can move level on points with Sevilla with victory over Real Sociedad.

[6 January 2019 17:20 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Real Madrid's season has been plagued by inconsistency, by an apparent inability to string together a run of form. But it has been even worse for Real Sociedad. Before the winter break, coach Asier Garitano was sacked and replaced by reserve team manager Imanol Alguacil. His first game is about as difficult as it gets, but results, given their precarious position in the table, are quickly becoming a necessity for the Basque club.

[6 January 2019 17:25 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Real Sociedad do not boast a great record at the Bernabeu. They have taken just a point from their previous 11 visits, lost their last seven and won just five times at the stadium in their history. That along with their dismal recent form suggests that the home side should win this one comfortably. This has been a strange season in La Liga, though.

[6 January 2019 17:27 · Callum Rice-Coates]

The teams are making their way out onto the pitch. We're moments away from kick off now...

[6 January 2019 17:32 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Real Madrid get us underway. They'll want to start quickly today.