It’s the match of the year. The one that will determine who has been the best team so far in 2026. No side has earned more points than Real Madrid or Real Sociedad since the New Year. They are the only two teams still undefeated after the first 44 days of the year. Real Madrid have won all five of their league matches, collecting 15 points, while Real Sociedad have four wins and two draws for 14. A true test awaits at the Bernabéu.
For that challenge, Arbeloa, who is keeping his squad list secret until a few hours before kick-off, will benefit from the return of Vinicius. The Brazilian missed the match at Mestalla through suspension. It was his first league absence of the season, remarkable for a player who has been indispensable to the new manager. Until that suspension, he had played every minute since the new manager native took charge of the Real Madrid bench.
Vinicius’ return is not the only potential change in the starting eleven. Attention is also focused on the right-back position, where Trent and Dani Carvajal are competing to start. The Englishman played his first minutes at Mestalla after two months out injured, while the captain has been under scrutiny this week after watching the last four matches from the bench without playing a single minute.
The third key decision concerns midfield. With Mastantuono likely to return to the right side of the attack, Güler and Camavinga are battling for a place in the centre of the pitch.
The rest of the line-up appears clearer. Asensio, the academy graduate who turned 23 on Friday and has recovered from flu, is expected to partner Huijsen in central defence, with Carreras at left-back. Tchouameni is a guaranteed starter in midfield, and Valverde is another certainty. Up front, Arbeloa is set to deploy his most frequently used trio: Mastantuono, Mbappé and Vinicius. In goal, without question, Thibaut Courtois.
In summary, the possible starting XI against Real Sociedad is:
GK: Courtois
DEF: Carvajal/Trent - Asensio - Huijsen - Carreras
MID: Valverde - Tchouaméni - Güler/Camavinga
ATT: Mastantuono - Mbappé - Vinicius Jr.
The other available first-team players are Lunin, Rüdiger, Alaba, Mendy, Fran García, Ceballos, Brahim and Gonzalo.
Arbeloa will still be without the injured Militao, Bellingham and Rodrygo. The Brazilian will definitely miss the Lisbon match through suspension but could return for the game on Saturday the 21st at Osasuna’s El Sadar stadium.
Carreras and Mastantuono are one yellow card away from suspension. If they are booked against Real Sociedad, they will miss the following match at El Sadar.