Real Madrid are playing host to Real Sociedad at Santiago Bernabéu on the 14th of February 2026. Kick off is at 9:00 PM CET (8:00 PM GMT / 9:00 PM WAT). Real Madrid , with manager Álvaro Arbeloa at the helm, are looking for an eighth consecutive La Liga win which could give them top spot in the table – they’re on a seven match unbeaten run in the league after all. Real Sociedad, under Pellegrino Matarazzo, have been impressing, boasting one of the longest current unbeaten runs out there and they’re in excellent form – so they’re going to arrive at Bernabéu with the intention of causing an upset and turning the tables to push on for those all important European spots.
Match Summary
Real Madrid are sitting pretty in second in La Liga right now, doing alright at home with 10 wins from their last eleven games at the Bernabéu this season. You’d expect them to have some momentum after their recent results and be keen to close that gap at the top with some key fixtures looming like that Benfica in the Champions League on the horizon.
But despite being short on numbers thanks to injuries – they’ve still been pretty clinical. Real Sociedad are further down the league, sitting in eighth with Matarazzo at the helm – and the way he’s been performing has been really impressive – they’ve got an 11 match unbeaten run in the league going on at the moment which of course makes them a tough nut to crack.
The reverse fixture in September 2025 ended up being a 2-1 win for Real Madrid but that was away from home. This game at Bernabéu is going to be a real contest – we’re talking Real Madrid’s attacking fire power against Sociedad’s organisation and set pieces. Goals often feature in their meetings which is no surprise given the way they play, but with Sociedad in such great form this could be a close and intense encounter.
Head to head: Real Madrid have the upper hand in their recent meetings, but Sociedad’s current performance has certainly added an interesting twist to this one.
Possible Line Ups
Real Madrid (4-3-3): Courtois – Carvajal or Alexander Arnold, Asencio or Rüdiger, Carreras, Huijsen – Tchouaméni, Camavinga, Güler or Valverde – Mastantuono, Mbappé, Vinicius Jnr
Álvaro Arbeloa has got some big players missing out including Jude Bellingham (out until April with a hamstring issue), Rodrygo (hamstring problems with a late February return hoped for), Éder Militão (tendon/muscle issues), Ferland Mendy (muscle trouble ) and Erm, no Kylian Mbappé is actually fit after a knock which is good news and Vinicius Jnr is back from suspension too – so at least those two can provide real flair up front
Real Sociedad (4-2-3-1 or 4-4-2): Remiro – Odriozola or Aramburu, Martín, Zubeldia or Caleta-Car, Gómez or Muñoz – Turrientes, Gorrotxategi or Marín – Soler, Marín or Guedes, Guedes, Oyarzabal – Oskarsson or Oyarzabal
Pellegrino Matarazzo has got some absences to deal with too – Takefusa Kubo (hamstring/muscle, early March), Unai Marrero (broken cheekbone), Luka Sučić (muscle problem, late February return hoped for), Ander Barrenetxea (thigh trouble), Brais Méndez is suspended – but you’d expect Mikel Oyarzabal to be the one to anchor the attack with some real experience.
Prediction
You’d expect Real Madrid’s home dominance, winning streak and the talents of Mbappé and Vinicius Jnr to give them the edge here, despite all their injury woes, but Sociedad’s form under Matarazzo has made them a real handful on the counter – so expect Oyarzabal or a set piece to get Sociedad on the board. This one’s going to be tight and entertaining, but ultimately Madrid’s quality and that Bernabéu atmosphere should see them over the line to keep their title hopes alive.
Final score prediction: Real Madrid 2-1 Real Sociedad
