Real Sociedad have been beaten in five of their last six domestic matches on their travels

Real Madrid are aiming to return to the Copa del Rey final when they face Real Sociedad in the second leg of their semi-final tie.

Brazilian teenager Endrick has struggled for minutes during his debut season in the Spanish capital, but he produced the goods in the first leg. His strike in San Sebastian proved to be the difference between the two sides, with Madrid hopeful of completing the job on home soil.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side are 20-time Copa del Rey winners, with their last triumph arriving in 2023. Before that, they hadn’t reached the final since 2014.

Sociedad lifted this trophy for a second time in 2020, with Imanol Alguacil returning them to the promised land, but 2024/25 has so far been an ordeal for the Basque club. They enter the second leg having exited the Europa League before the international break, but a victory over Real Valladolid at the weekend saw them climb up to tenth in La Liga.

Madrid, meanwhile, were far from convincing as they came from behind to beat Leganes 3-2. Barcelona’s victory over Girona on Sunday means Carlo Ancelotti’s side are three points back in the title race.

Real Madrid were without number one goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois at the weekend, and the Belgian international hasn’t trained ahead of the second leg. Thus, it’s expected that Andriy Lunin will retain his place between the sticks.

Ancelotti shuffled his pack for the first leg, and we shouldn’t expect Madrid to be at full strength on Tuesday. Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo were eased back in at the weekend after returning from South America, and the pair could be back in the XI for the second leg.

Eder Militao and Dani Carvajal are out for the season, while Dani Ceballos and Ferland Mendy are hopeful of returning in time for Madrid’s Champions League quarter-final against Arsenal.

Real Madrid predicted lineup vs Real Sociedad (4-2-3-1): Lunin; Vazquez, Asencio, Alaba, Garcia; Modric, Tchouameni; Rodrygo, Brahim, Vinicius; Endrick.

The once highly regarded Ander Barrenetxea has endured a down year in San Sebastian, but he’ll be back in Imanol’s XI on Tuesday after he missed Saturday’s victory over Real Valladolid through suspension.

The 23-year-old will operate in Sociedad’s front three alongside leading goalscorer Mikel Oyarzabal and livewire Takefusa Kubo.

Martin Zubimendi will function as the visitors’ midfield lynchpin amid transfer interest from Madrid and Arsenal.

Nayef Aguerd, Sheraldo Becker, Arsen Zakharyan and Jon Pacheco are likely to miss the second leg, while Brais Mendez is a doubt.

Real Sociedad predicted lineup vs Real Madrid (4-3-3): Remiro; Traore, Zubeldia, Elustondo, Munoz; Sucic, Zubimendi, Marin; Kubo, Oyarzabal, Barrenetxea.