Real Madrid has had a slow start in La Liga, already trailing Barcelona by four points, but there’s no doubt that the Royals remain the top favorites for the crown on the Iberian Peninsula. Jude Bellingham’s injury is causing issues for Carlo Ancelotti. Kylian Mbappe went scoreless for three matches but then scored twice against Betis two weeks ago, signaling that he will be a major reinforcement for the European champions. Madrid has struggled with island teams at the start of the new season. They stumbled both against Mallorca and in the Balearic Islands against Las Palmas. Tonight they are aiming for their first trio of victories at the always tough Anoeta in San Sebastian. Real Sociedad hasn’t started the season well, with only four points so far. The Blue and Whites have been a real fortress at San Sebastian in recent years, but this season they’ve got zero points at home. Losses to modest Rayo Vallecano and Alaves were unexpected, triggering alarms in the Basque Country.To finish the Galacticos 2.0 masterpiece, Florentino needs two impeccable full-backsAncelotti is facing problems in the midfield. Aurélien Tchouaméni, Eduardo Camavinga, and Dani Ceballos are injured. Of the planned midfield lineup, only Federico Valverde and veteran Luka Modrić are available. The Italian coach might give Brahim Diaz or Arda Güler a chance to start. It remains to be seen whether Ancelotti will stick to the 4-3-3 system or switch to a 4-2-3-1 formation. In attack, Kylian Mbappe will be the central forward, with Rodrygo and Vinícius Júnior threatening from the wings.So it’s true! Saudis confirm the crazy Vinicius’ storyAnd believe it or not, that‘s exactly what Real Sociedad players are hoping for. Playing Mbappe as the classic 9 is something which former Real Madrid player Takefusa Kubo approves.“It is what we are all seeing, in the end I think that the three up front play in the same position and that means that maybe they are not giving their best version. I think that’s the best way, try to have the ball for as long as possible because in the end they make you suffer with the ball. We suffer a lot more with him stuck to the wing than as a centre forward. At the moment in La Liga I think the same thing is happening and I hope things don’t go well for him against us. The best thing for us is for him not to play on the wing because that’s where I see him as almost unstoppable and when he plays as a centre forward, we’ll try to use that top speed that he has, which starts from nowhere, and try to help each other so that the player who has the ball doesn’t raise his head and sees him” said the Sociedad forward.LA LIGA – MATCHDAY 5Friday Betis – Leganes 2-0 (0-0)/Ezzalzouli 74, Roque 86/Saturday 15.00: (2.55) Mallorca (3.35) Villareal (3.00)17.15: (2.70) Espanyol (3.15) Alaves (2.95)19.30: (2.25) Sevilla (3.10) Getafe (3.50)Sunday 15.00: (1.70) Celta (3.80) Valladolid (5.60)17.15: (4.10) Girona (3.70) Barcelona (1.85)19.30: (4.00) Las Palmas (3.50) Ath.Bilbao (2.05)22.00: (1.35) Atl.Madrid (4.80) Valencia (10.0)Monday 22.00: (2.25) Rayo Vallecano (3.20) Osasuna (3.70)***odds are subject to change***
