Before Real Madrid take on Paris Saint-Germain in a Champions League round of 16 tie, they face Real Sociedad on Saturday.
Zinedine Zidane will have to find a balance between resting players ahead of the midweek game and ensuring that they don’t lose further ground in La Liga.
The title may already be out of reach with Barcelona 19 points ahead but if Los Blancos don’t get their act together may not even secure a Champions League spot for next season.
Here, we look at the key stats ahead of the encounter including Cristiano Ronaldo‘s stunning form against the Basque side.
– Real Madrid have only lost one of their last 21 La Liga games against Real Sociedad (W17 D3) and it was away from home (4-2 at Anoeta in August 2014).
– At home, the Whites are unbeaten in their last 10 games against Real Sociedad in La Liga (W9 D1), their last defeat against them at Bernabeu was in May 2004 (1-4).
– In that game, Xabi Prieto found the net for the first time ever in La Liga (two goals). He has scored more goals against Real Madrid than he has versus any other side in the Spanish top-flight (nine).
– Real Madrid have only won two of their last six La Liga games (D2 L2), conceding goals in all six matches (10 goals conceded in total).
– Real Sociedad are winless in their last six La Liga away games (D2 L4) – the last time they went seven in a row without an away win was in March 2015 (13).
– Cristiano Ronaldo has scored in each of his six league games against Real Sociedad at Santiago Bernabeu (12 goals in total). Only against Sevilla and Getafe (13 apiece) has he scored more home goals in La Liga.
– Gareth Bale has been directly involved in nine goals in his eight La Liga games against Real Sociedad (six goals and three assists).
– Sergio Ramos is the only La Liga defender to have scored in 14 consecutive seasons.
65% of Sergio Ramos’ goals for Real Madrid in all competitions have been headers (46 from 70).
64% of Toni Kroos’ assists for the Whites in all competitions have ended in headed goals (29 out of 45).
– William Jose has scored the opening goal of the game more times in La Liga this season than any other player (seven).
Statistics provided by Opta
