La Liga 2026–2027: Real Madrid vs. Real Sociedad—Probable Lineups

Following their narrow victory on the road against Espanyol, it’s already time for a make-up match for José Mourinho’s Real Madrid, who will play on Wednesday evening the game originally scheduled for the August 15 weekend against Real Sociedad, a match that was postponed because players on both sides were participating in the semifinals and finals of the 2026 World Cup. The game kicks off at 9 p.m. at the “Santiago Bernabéu” in Madrid, with referee Mateo Busquets Ferrer of Palma de Mallorca officiating.

Carlos Espí, who arrived this summer from Levante, proved to be the game-changer against Espanyol, making the most of his limited playing time (he came on in the 80th minute to replace Jude Bellingham) by scoring the 2-1 goal in the 90th minute. However, the 2005-born player is expected to start on the bench again; after all, it’s difficult to earn a starting spot with players like Arda Güler, Bellingham, Vinicius Júnior, and Kylian Mbappé. Compared to the previous match, Marc Cucurella—fresh off a starring role in the World Cup victory—is expected to start on the left.

Real Sociedad, on the other hand, began its league campaign with an away loss, undone by a goal from Rodrigo Riquelme midway through the second half in their match against Betis de Sevilla. Without Pablo Marin and with Gorrotxategi and Odriozola sidelined for some time, Italian-American coach Pellegrino Matarazzo can still count on 2026 World Cup champion Mikel Oyarzabal, one of the Basque team’s cornerstones: Behind the striker, born in 1997, will be Kubo, Sucic, and Barrenetxea in the 4-2-3-1 formation, barring any last-minute surprises.

Probable lineups

REAL MADRID (4-2-3-1): Courtois; Dumfries, Konate, Huijsen, Cucurella; Bernardo, Valverde; Guler, Bellingham, Vinicius Jr.; Mbappé. Coach: Mourinho.

REAL SOCIEDAD (4-2-3-1): Remiro; Aramburu, Zubeldia, Martin, Gomez; Herrera, Soler; Kubo, Sucic, Barrenetxea; Oyarzabal. Coach: Matarazzo.