Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad Prediction: Modric to get 1+ SoT in 23/20 Double

It has not been the season that Real Madrid fans wanted but they play out their final league match of the 24/25 season on Saturday afternoon as they welcome in mid-table Real Sociedad in a 15:15 kick-off, live on LaLiga TV in the UK.

Our Madrid-based La Liga Betting expert picks out his two best bets for the match in his full match preview. So check out his Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad Predictions below...

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It's the end of an era at the Santiago Bernabéu on Saturday, as Carlo Ancelotti takes charge  of his final Real Madrid game against Real Sociedad. 

The Italian's second spell has delivered two league titles and two Champions League wins, although it ends on something of a sour note after an unsuccessful 2024/25 campaign. 

There has been plenty of criticism directed at him and his team over the past few months, but there should be a different kind of atmosphere at the Bernabéu this weekend, with Ancelotti sure to get a good send-off. It's also the final home game for the long-serving duo of Luka Modrić and Lucas Vázquez, although unlike Ancelotti, both players are expected to head to the Club World Cup before departing. 

Even at the age of 39, Modrić has still put in some high-quality displays over the past few weeks, with the club's injury crisis granting him more opportunities to start. The Croatian departs as a legendary figure at this club, and as a six-time European champion, but it seems the incoming Xabi Alonso is keen on freshening up the squad and moving in a new direction with some younger players. 

Modrić and Vázquez both look certain to start this game, with nothing riding on it for either side. They're likely to be withdrawn at some point in the second half, as Real Madrid seek to end the season with a victory. 

Los Blancos have won six of their last seven league games, so it's not as though the wheels have completely come off, but they've been thoroughly unconvincing for much of the season and can have few complaints at either their early Champions League exit, or at finishing as runners-up to an impressive Barcelona side in La Liga. 

Alonso will inherit a number of the problems that Ancelotti has ultimately failed to solve. Getting the balance right in attack will be high on his list of priorities, as despite scoring an impressive 40 goals in all competitions, Kylian Mbappé's arrival has unsettled a team that was functioning pretty well last season without him. 

It's also the end of an era at Real Sociedad, with Imanol Alguacil departing after six-and-a-half years in the top job at the Reale Arena. Both a fan and former player at the Basque club, Imanol has enjoyed a successful spell that delivered European qualification in five seasons running, as well as a Copa del Rey triumph in 2021. 

His willingness to promote the club's young talent into the senior set-up will be his defining legacy, and he was given a great reception by the club's players and supporters in his final home game against Girona last time out. 

Fittingly, it was three academy graduates who got the goals in a 3-2 victory. Pablo Marín, Mikel Oyarzabal and Arkaitz Mariezkurrena all celebrated by running to the dugout to show their appreciation for Imanol on what would have been a special day for the 53-year-old. 

Overall though, this has been a very disappointing season for La Real who could slip to 12th if they lose this match. They've not finished lower than that since the 2010/11 season, and they won't be in Europe next season, with a pretty uncertain summer ahead that's likely to see key midfielder Martín Zubimendi depart. 

They've not been anywhere near good enough in the final third. Only two teams have scored less than their tally of 35 goals in La Liga this term, although curiously they did manage to net four times at the Bernabéu only last month in a Copa del Rey semi-final second leg that went to extra time, and ended with Real Madrid progressing 5-4 on aggregate. 

Team News: 

Real Madrid are still very short on numbers heading into this game. Jude Bellingham picked up his fifth booking of the campaign in the 2-0 win against the nine men of Sevilla last weekend, so he will play no part. Antonio Rüdiger is also suspended, as well as injured. 

Dani Carvajal, Éder Militão, David Alaba, Endrick, Ferland Mendy, Eduardo Camavinga and Rodrygo are also currently sidelined with injury problems.  

Vinícius Júnior and Brahim Díaz have both recovered from their issues though, and should be fit enough to play some part in this game. Ancelotti may also consider handing another opportunity to Andriy Lunin in goal, while young centre-back Jacobo Ramón should get another start given the selection issues in that department. 

As for Real Sociedad, Imanol may use this game to hand opportunities to some younger players, with Mariezkurrena potentially in line for his full debut on the right flank. Back-up keeper Unai Marrero could also feature in goal. 

They are still missing three players, with Orri Steinn Óskarsson, Sheraldo Becker and Nayef Aguerd yet to recover from injuries. 

Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad Odds

Real Madrid head into this as the 2/5 favourites to win Ancelotti's final match. You can back the Draw at 4/1, while Real Sociedad are priced at 13/2 to win their last game under Imanol. 

After the teams shared eight goals on this ground in the Copa del Rey in April, punters may be tempted by odds of 4/6 for Both teams to score. You can also back Over 3.5 total goals at 6/5, while Real Madrid are priced at 6/5 to score over 2.5 goals in the game. 

If you're expecting the visitors to put up a good fight, you can back Real Sociedad or Draw at 9/5 in the Double Chance market. The visitors are also available at 11/5 to win either half. 

They'll have their work cut out as they try to stop Mbappé though. The Frenchman is in electric form with eight goals in his last five matches and he needs only one to hit 30 goals in his debut season in La Liga. You can back Mbappé to score first at 9/4, while he's priced at 8/15 to score anytime. 

Modrić is on offer at 5/2 to score anytime in his final game, while Oyarzabal is likely to offer the main goal threat for the visitors, with the Spain international priced at 9/1 to score first and 5/2 to score anytime. 

Bet 1 - Real Madrid over 1.5 goals & Luka Modrić over 0.5 shots on target @ 23/20 

While it has not been a successful season by any measure at the Bernabéu, there is still a recognition that Ancelotti departs as one of the club's most successful ever coaches, and the Real Madrid players will want to give the Italian a winning send-off. 

With nothing riding on the game for either side, it's likely to have an end-of-season feel to it, with high temperatures not likely to help with this game an afternoon kick-off. Real Madrid have some major selection issues at the back, but they have enough players to field a strong midfield and attack, and with Mbappé looking very sharp up top, there should be goals in this for the hosts. 

The home fans would also love to see Modrić get on the scoresheet on the final day. The Croatian still has an eye for goal from range, and there's even a chance he may be afforded penalty duties should Los Blancos win one. 

I can see him at least testing the keeper at some point, and I'm using the Bet Builder to back Real Madrid to score over 1.5 goals and Luka Modrić over 0.5 shots on target at 23/20. 

Bet 2 - Team with most booking points - Real Sociedad @ 7/5 

This is very unlikely to be a particularly feisty match, with both teams winding down towards the end of the campaign. Real Madrid have picked up fewer cards than any other team in La Liga this term, and since losing El Clásico which effectively ended the title race, only one Madrid player has been carded in two games which was Bellingham last time out. 

With the Englishman unavailable for this, and some of Real Madrid's more combative players also sidelined with injury, it's hard to see many challenges flying in from the home team. 

Real Sociedad rank eighth in the total card count in the Spanish top flight, and while they're not likely to be too physical either on Saturday, they may spend a fair amount of the match without the ball, and they look the team more likely to pick up a few yellows. 

Given that, I'm backing Real Sociedad to have the most booking points at 7/5.