MADRID, Sept. 16 -- Real Madrid play a vital game on Sunday when they travel to play Real Sociedad in the Anoeta Stadium, and a defeat would see them drop to seven points off the top of the Spanish league table.
Real Sociedad have had a flying start to the campaign and are second in the table on goal difference behind Barcelona with three wins from their first three league matches and a 4-0 victory over Rosenborg on Thursday to kick off their Europa League campaign.
In all the Basque side have netted 14 goals in their first four games and are a totally different team to the one which capitulated 3-0 in Anoeta to Madrid in the first game of last season.
Real Madrid have struggled for goals in their opening matches of the season and although Cristiano Ronaldo was back to score twice in their 3-0 win over APOEL Nicosia on Wednesday, he is suspended for the trip to San Sebastian as he serves the last of a five-game ban.
Left back Marcelo is also suspended following his sending off against Levante last weekend, while Karim Benzema and Mateo Kovacic are both injured.
Marcos Asensio is available after missing out in midweek due to a infected spot on his leg, but it will be Gareth Bale who has the responsibility to score the goals.
Bale missed four decent chances in last weekend's draw at home to Levante and was booed by a section of fans, as he was at a promotional event on Friday. However, he has scored in Anoeta in the past and aims to do so again on Sunday. If he doesn't Madrid could be looking at a mountain to climb after just four games.
体坛英语资讯:Amsterdam Arena officially becomes Johan Cruijff Arena
体坛英语资讯:Kenyas Mutai to challenge ex-Olympic champ Kiprotich in Hamburg Marathon
体坛英语资讯:Chile coach Rueda hails players after victory over Sweden
体坛英语资讯:Former Brazil keeper Cesar rules out new Flamengo deal
体坛英语资讯:Maracana pitch terrible, says former Brazil midfielder Diego
体坛英语资讯:Bayern take vital Champions League win away to Sevilla
体坛英语资讯:Mark Williams, Selby into World Snooker China Open quarters, all Chinese out
体坛英语资讯:Bayern Munich under attack after Tuchel disaster
体坛英语资讯:Olympic champion Li Xuerui returns to international badminton after 600 days
体坛英语资讯:Neymar is irreplaceable, says Brazil coach
体坛英语资讯:Indonesian U-19 players warm up for AFF U-18 Cup, Asia U-19 Cup
体坛英语资讯:Analysis: Backlash for Barcas European exit
体坛英语资讯:Feature: China, Japan players celebrate ping-pong friendship in Nagoya
体坛英语资讯:Argentina World Cup winner Houseman dies
体坛英语资讯:Indonesia sets 2-gold target in wall climbing in Asian Games
体坛英语资讯:Massive health facilities prepared for Asian Games
体坛英语资讯:Feel the Future: Buenos Aires 2018 unveils Youth Olympics slogan
体坛英语资讯:Beijing 2022 venue construction proceeds smoothly
体坛英语资讯:Messi the hero again as Barca retain unbeaten record in matchday 30
体坛英语资讯:Neuer may miss World Cup, says Kahn
体坛英语资讯:Italys Navarria and Switzerlands Heinzer win epee Grand Prix in Budapest
体坛英语资讯:OSullivan, Ding through, Selby made to sweat in China Open
体坛英语资讯:Leipzigs Laimer sidelined with injury
体坛英语资讯:Pele: Neymar more like Messi than Ronaldo
体坛英语资讯:Boca edge closer to Superliga Argentina title
体坛英语资讯:Indonesias Bali to host intl 2018 Kilo Run event
体坛英语资讯:Hannover overcome Bremen 2-1 in German Bundesliga
体坛英语资讯:Polish yacht docks in Tasmania after clinching Antarctic circumnavigation record
体坛英语资讯:US, Latin American fans lead World Cup ticket demand
体坛英语资讯:Messi deserves to win a World Cup, says Peru coach