Venue: Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
Date: 30/12/2015
Kick-off: 3:00 PM GMT / 10:00 AM EST
Television coverage: Sky Sports 1/HD (UK); beIN Sports en Español, beIN Sports (USA)
Online Streaming: fuboTV (USA), Sky Go (UK)
The Strongest Possible Lineup for Real Madrid against Real Sociedad
Formation – 4-3-3
Goalkeeper
While most of the Real Madrid squad would have been pleased with the 10-2 victory over Rayo Vallecano last time out, goalkeeper Keylor Navas would perhaps have been left a bit disappointed after letting in two goals.
As a result, Navas will want to keep a clean sheet on Wednesday and up against a toothless looking Real Sociedad attack, the Costa Rican should be confident of doing so.
Defence
Madrid have been handed a huge boost ahead of the clash with the return to full fitness of Raphael Varane. However, the young Frenchman is unlikely to be risked for the midweek clash and the duo of Sergio Ramos and Pepe will continue in the starting lineup.
In the full back positions, Danilo and Marcelo look certain starters while Dani Carvajal remains out injured for Los Blancos.
Midfield
The trio of Luka Modric, Toni Kroos and Gareth Bale combined brilliantly to plot the downfall of Vallecano last time out and Benitez will see no reason whatsoever to change things around for the clash against Sociedad.
If indeed Benitez does decide to rotate his squad, the likes of Mateo Kovacic and Casimero will be within a good shout to be starting.
Attack
Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema grabbed five goals between them against Vallecano but it was James Rodriguez who was the chief architect.
With support provided by Gareth Bale from a deeper midfield position, Ronaldo, Benzema and James seem to be flourishing and if things click once again, one can expect the back of the net to ripple on more than one occasion on Wednesday.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Keylor Navas, Danilo, Pepe, Sergio Ramos, Marcelo, Kroos, Modric, James, Ronaldo, Benzema, Bale
