ShareReal Madrid take on Real Sociedad as José Mourinho looks to build on a 2-1 victory over Espanyol over the weekend in what was his first league match in charge of the club since 2013.By Ross KilvingtonJosé Mourinho has unfinished business with Real MadridDespite arriving in the Spanish capital in the summer of 2010 as arguably one of the most in-demand coaches in Europe, Mourinho’s first spell at Real didn’t always go to plan.Yes, he led Los Blancos to a Copa del Rey and LaLiga title during his spell, while regularly being the thorn in Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona side, yet Champions League success ultimately eluded him.Fast forward 13 years and Mourinho returns to the Bernabéu dugout a different coach, one that has struggled to adapt to the ever-evolving game in recent years.Indeed, he has won a single trophy – the 2022 Conference League with Roma – since the beginning of the 2017/18 season. Real have now gone two successive campaigns without a league or Champions League title. Is Mourinho the man to end that drought? There is no denying his man-management capabilities, and he has faced dressing rooms with plenty of egos many a time throughout his career.Things weren’t easy during the victory over Espanyol, with Madrid having to rely on a late effort from Carlos Espí to seal all three points. Real under Mourinho will be stubborn and hard to beat. Might that result be the catalyst for a good campaign?Recent H2H record in league and cupReal Sociedad eyeing more success this seasonPellegrino Matarazzo led Real Sociedad to tenth in LaLiga last term, but it was their Copa del Rey triumph which had people talking.The Basque side won the tournament for the second time in seven seasons and ambitions this season will be to crack the top-six back in the league.Thanks to winning the Spanish Cup, the club will play in the Europa League this season, returning to European competition after missing out last term.The core of the squad remains and Matarazzo will be counting on World Cup winner Mikel Oyarzabal to improve on his 18-goal haul from 2025/26.A 1-0 defeat to Real Betis last time out wasn’t the start Matarazzo had in mind, but a positive display against Real will restore confidence.Team newsMourinho remains without Éder Militão, Ferland Mendy, Raúl Asencio and Rodrygo due to injury for this game.Jude Bellingham, Endrick, Aurélien Tchouaméni and Thiago Pitarch are doubts for this clash.For Real Sociedad, Matarazzo will be missing Álvaro Odriozola while the likes of Jon Gorrotxategi, Gonçalo Guedes and Pablo Marín will require late fitness tests ahead of the match.PredictionAlthough both sides had contrasting starts to the season, Mourinho will be wary of the threat Real Sociedad possesses as they travel to the Bernabéu.Mourinho can take encouragement from the fact Los Blancos have a superior head-to-head over their opponents in recent years, winning seven of the previous eight meetings.Given the quality Mourinho has at his disposal, the home side should make it back-to-back league wins on Wednesday evening: Real Madrid 3-1 Real Sociedad.(Cover image from IMAGO)You can follow every game from LaLiga with FotMob — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, physical metrics, and player ratings. Download the free app here.Add FotMob as a preferred news source on Google by clicking – here.Real Madrid take on Real Sociedad as José Mourinho looks to build on a 2-1 victory over Espanyol over the weekend in what was his first league match in charge of the club since 2013.By Ross KilvingtonJosé Mourinho has unfinished business with Real MadridDespite arriving in the Spanish capital in the summer of 2010 as arguably one of the most in-demand coaches in Europe, Mourinho’s first spell at Real didn’t always go to plan.Yes, he led Los Blancos to a Copa del Rey and LaLiga title during his spell, while regularly being the thorn in Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona side, yet Champions League success ultimately eluded him.Fast forward 13 years and Mourinho returns to the Bernabéu dugout a different coach, one that has struggled to adapt to the ever-evolving game in recent years.Indeed, he has won a single trophy – the 2022 Conference League with Roma – since the beginning of the 2017/18 season. Real have now gone two successive campaigns without a league or Champions League title. Is Mourinho the man to end that drought? There is no denying his man-management capabilities, and he has faced dressing rooms with plenty of egos many a time throughout his career.Things weren’t easy during the victory over Espanyol, with Madrid having to rely on a late effort from Carlos Espí to seal all three points. Real under Mourinho will be stubborn and hard to beat. Might that result be the catalyst for a good campaign?Recent H2H record in league and cupReal Sociedad eyeing more success this seasonPellegrino Matarazzo led Real Sociedad to tenth in LaLiga last term, but it was their Copa del Rey triumph which had people talking.The Basque side won the tournament for the second time in seven seasons and ambitions this season will be to crack the top-six back in the league.Thanks to winning the Spanish Cup, the club will play in the Europa League this season, returning to European competition after missing out last term.The core of the squad remains and Matarazzo will be counting on World Cup winner Mikel Oyarzabal to improve on his 18-goal haul from 2025/26.A 1-0 defeat to Real Betis last time out wasn’t the start Matarazzo had in mind, but a positive display against Real will restore confidence.Team newsMourinho remains without Éder Militão, Ferland Mendy, Raúl Asencio and Rodrygo due to injury for this game.Jude Bellingham, Endrick, Aurélien Tchouaméni and Thiago Pitarch are doubts for this clash.For Real Sociedad, Matarazzo will be missing Álvaro Odriozola while the likes of Jon Gorrotxategi, Gonçalo Guedes and Pablo Marín will require late fitness tests ahead of the match.PredictionAlthough both sides had contrasting starts to the season, Mourinho will be wary of the threat Real Sociedad possesses as they travel to the Bernabéu.Mourinho can take encouragement from the fact Los Blancos have a superior head-to-head over their opponents in recent years, winning seven of the previous eight meetings.Given the quality Mourinho has at his disposal, the home side should make it back-to-back league wins on Wednesday evening: Real Madrid 3-1 Real Sociedad.(Cover image from IMAGO)You can follow every game from LaLiga with FotMob — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, physical metrics, and player ratings. Download the free app here.Add FotMob as a preferred news source on Google by clicking – here.