Real Madrid visit Real Sociedad to play the first leg of the Copa del Rey Semifinals

Real Madrid can place one foot in the Copa del Rey final on Wednesday evening when they visit Real Sociedad in the first leg of their last four tie.

Los Blancos progressed to the last 16 of the Champions League last week and followed up their victory over Manchester City by beating Girona in La Liga on Sunday afternoon. The result moved them back level on points with title rivals Barcelona as hopes of a treble grow.

The Copa del Rey could be the first piece of silverware Carlo Ancelotti’s side claim in 2025 and they are strong favourites to overcome 2019/20 winners Real Sociedad in the semis. They will want to take a buffer back to the Santiago Bernabeu to avoid being the butt of the joke in the second leg on April Fools’ Day.

Madrid needed a 93rd-minute winner in the previous round to overcome Leganes but are now within striking distance of their 21st Copa del Rey crown – most recently winning the competition in 2022/23. Unbeaten in their last six matches in all competitions, they are seeking a third consecutive victory at Reale Arena that will offer them a cushion to take back to the capital for the second leg.

Real Sociedad have won the cup three times before – including once in 1909 under a different name – last lifting the trophy aloft in the coronavirus-affected 2019/20 campaign. They are the underdogs of the four remaining teams – Barcelona and Atletico Madrid contesting the other semi-final – but head into the fixture having rediscovered their form following a shaky start to the calendar year.

Nayef Agyuerd was injured in Real Sociedad’s 3-0 win over Leganes at the weekend and the former West Ham United centre-back is now unlikely to feature against Madrid.

He joins fellow defenders Jon Pacheco and Hamari Traore in the treatment room but the good news for Imanol Alguacil is that Igor Zubeldia returns from suspension.

Luka Sucic is absent for the midweek clash and Arsen Zakharyan is a doubt after being withdrawn at half-time during the weekend victory. Sheraldo Becker returns from his suspension, though.

Real Sociedad predicted lineup vs Real Madrid (4-1-4-1): Remiro; Aramburu, Zubeldia, Elustondo, Munoz; Zubimendi; Kubo, Marin, Olasagasti, Gomez; Oyarzabal.

Madrid are without Kylian Mbappe because of a tooth problem and remain without long-term absentees Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao.

Lucas Vazquez, David Alaba and Antonio Rudiger have been welcomed back in recent matches, with Jude Bellingham also available as his La Liga suspension doesn’t carry over until Copa del Rey competition.

Federico Valverde was an unused substitute in the 2-0 win over Girona at the weekend and will miss out in San Sebastian due to a hamstring issue he has been playing through in recent weeks. Thibaut Courtois has also not travelled, making a start for Andriy Lunin in goal likely.

Real Madrid predicted lineup vs Real Sociedad (4-2-3-1): Lunin; Vazquez, Asencio, Rudiger, F. Garcia; Tchouameni, Ceballos; Brahim, Bellingham, Rodrygo; Vinicius.