Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the match in la Liga between Real Madrid and Real Sociedad. Madrid's draw with Villarreal has left them further off the pace at the top and with Sociedad having lost four successive games and sitting towards the bottom, this is a huge fixture for both teams.

LATEST! There's an equally important fixture taking place right now in Seville, where Sevilla and Atletico Madrid are currently locked at 1-1 with an hour gone in their encounter at Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium. We will keep you up to date as and when we can.

Without further ado, let's take a look at the two starting lineups, beginning with the home side...

REAL MADRID XI: Courtois; Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo; Kroos, Casemiro, Modric; Vazquez, Benzena, Vinicius

REAL MADRID SUBSTITUTES: Navas, Odriozola, Nacho, Valverde, Ceballos, Isco, Reguilon

REAL SOCIEDAD XI: Rulli; Elustondo, Llorente, Moreno, Munoz; Januzaj, Merino, Illarramendi, Zurutuza, Oyarzabal; Willian Jose

REAL SOCIEDAD SUBSTITUTES: Juanmi, Orgilles Jon, Le Normand, Pardo, Zaldua, Zubeldia, Zubiaurre

Let's start with Madrid as Santiago Solari opts to make just the one change to his starting lineup. It's an enforced one as Gareth Bale misses out with a minor muscle problem, and it has resulted in Vinicius Junior being handed a role in the first XI.

Isco had replaced Bale at the break against Villarreal, but the playmaker is again forced to make do with a spot among the replacements. Lucas Vazquez has retained his place in attack with Karim Benzema making up the front three.

Solari had options as far as his midfield was concerned, but the interim boss has kept the established trio of Toni Kroos, Casemiro and Luka Modric. There are no surprises with the defence.

Isco and Dani Ceballos are Solari's most advanced options on the bench, while Federico Valverde is also capable of playing in the final third.

New Real Sociedad boss Imanol Alguacil must do without Theo Hernandez this evening with the defender unable to face his parent club. It has resulted in Aihen Munoz being brought into the team to make his first senior start.

The second alteration to the starting lineup sees Mikel Merino brought back into the team to strengthen the midfield, with Juanmi dropping down to the substitutes' bench. Geronimo Rulli has also been preferred to Miguel Angel Moya between the sticks with the veteran ruled out with a knee injury.

Former Manchester United playmaker Adnan Januzaj takes his place in the side, as does ex-Real Madrid man Asier Illarramendi. However, Sandro Ramirez - on loan from Everton - misses out with a thigh problem.

LATEST! It remains 1-1 between Sevilla and Atletico Madrid. It is a scoreline which will suit Real Madrid, but there is still eight minutes plus added-on time left.

PREVIEW! Leaders Barcelona are in action later this evening when they face Getafe. Click here to read our preview of the game at Coliseum Alfonso Perez.

Much was made of the appointment of Solari when he replaced Lopetegui, but it is difficult to criticise his record in La Liga after seven games. A total of 16 points have come since the heavy defeat at Barcelona, and it has at least put the club in a position where they can still target the league title.

Much of that will depend on Barcelona's form but with the Bernabeu still to host an El Clasico this season, keeping pace with Barca until the first weekend in March will at least keep the title race alive.

Going forward, Madrid will have to improve their efforts away from home, but they have not been perfect at the Bernabeu. They possess the best defensive home record in La Liga, but just 13 goals have been scored in eight games at their iconic ground.

Only Benzema, Bale and Ramos have netted four of more times in the league this season. With Bale out of the equation, it leaves other members of the squad with the need to step up in the coming weeks.

Sociedad go into this game on the back of four defeats in a row, although they have not conceded more than two goals in any of those setbacks! You can see what Imanol Alguacil will be looking to improve after arriving for his second spell at the club...

Just 18 goals have been scored in 17 matches, and Mikel Oyarzabal and Willian Jose have contributed eight of those. It may be a tough ask to break down a Real defence who have conceded just three times at the Bernabeu this season.

Sociedad are also yet to be involved in a match in La Liga this season which has included more than four goals. Maybe it wouldn't be wise to expect the most thrilling of contests this evening...

RESULT! The full-time whistle has been blown at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium and it has finished 1-1 between Sevilla and Atletico Madrid. Wissam Ben Yedder had given the home side the lead, but Antoine Griezmann struck just before half time to earn Atletico a share of the spoils.

That result means that Atletico sit two points adrift of leaders Barcelona, who still have a game in hand. Real Madrid are also now capable of moving level on points with third-placed Sevilla, although Solari's men would remain adrift on goal difference.

PREDICTION! Real Madrid were disappointing against Villarreal on Thursday night, but we expect the European champions to return to winning ways on home soil due to Sociedad's poor form. Solari's side to prevail by a 2-0 scoreline.

HEAD TO HEAD! Real Madrid have won the last seven matches in La Liga between the two sides!

During that period - which stretches back to the start of 2015 - Real have scored as many as 22 goals, while they have netted at least three strikes in each of the last eight games against Sociedad at the Bernabeu.

Sociedad have not emerged victorious at Madrid's home ground since 2004. Back then, two goals from Xabi Prieto helped the visitors to a 4-1 win over a team which included Roberto Carlos, Luis Figo, Raul and Ronaldo.

However, that is one of just three victories for Sociedad at the Bernabeu in 71 attempts in the league! They have lost 52 times...

It's time for the two teams to start making their way out at the Bernabeu. The home crowd expect a lot from their side this evening. A defeat could end any realistic hope of a title challenge, providing that Barcelona win later.

A reminder of the two starting lineups...

REAL MADRID XI: Courtois; Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo; Kroos, Casemiro, Modric; Vazquez, Benzena, Vinicius

REAL SOCIEDAD XI: Rulli; Elustondo, Llorente, Moreno, Munoz; Januzaj, Merino, Illarramendi, Zurutuza, Oyarzabal, Willian Jose

KICKOFF:  Real get us underway!

PENALTY!  Real Sociedad have a penalty! Casemiro takes down Merino in the area and it's a definite spot kick. What a start...

GOAL!  Real Madrid 0-1 Real Sociedad (Willian Jose)

Ramos attempts to put Willian Jose off before he steps up to take the penalty, but it doesn't work. The Brazilian drills the ball into the roof of the net and Sociedad lead at the Bernabeu!

© Reuters

Vinicius Junior earns Madrid a free kick on the left flank, but Kroos's inswinging delivery is easily cleared by the Sociedad defence.

Real are attempting to gain control of the game by spraying the ball about the pitch. There's little intention to surge forward at this stage, despite that early goal for Sociedad.

Sociedad win the ball back and launch a rapid counter-attack. The visitors eventually earn a corner, but Madrid head the ball clear with minimal fuss.

CHANCE!  Benzema misses a sitter! A cross from the left is not dealt with by the Sociedad defence and the ball falls invitingly for Benzema, who should score from six yards. However, the Frenchman volleys the ball wide of the far post with Gulli beaten.

Vinicius Junior is having plenty of joy down the left on his first La Liga start for Madrid. The visitors probably didn't expect the youngster to feature this evening and they are struggling to deal with him.

Sociedad certainly aren't satisfied with their one-goal advantage. They sense that there are further mistakes in this Madrid defence and are getting the ball from back to front on a regular basis.

When you see Vinicius Junior start like this, you have to wonder why he hasn't been provided with more chances. The teenager gets in behind the Sociedad defence, but gets caught between a shot and passing to Vazquez and only sends an indecisive flick into an open space.

Madrid win another corner - this time on the right - but the outswinger is cleared outside the area before Vinicius Junior commits a foul.

Sociedad go straight up the other end and win a corner of their own, but Courtois uses his height to his advantage and makes the easy claim.

SAVE!  Good work on the edge of the area leads to an opportunity for Benzema, but the Frenchman's shot is deflected wide. From the resulting corner, the ball is played to Modric around 30 yards out and Rulli has to be alert to keep out the Croatian's 30-yard strike.

It surely won't be long before we see another goal. Both sides are going back and forth and while Madrid are looking the more threatening, don't rule out Sociedad hitting their hosts on the break.

Madrid switch to a cautious approach regarding their build-up play, and it enables Sociedad to get back into position to see off the danger.

Januzaj has impressed for Sociedad and the former Manchester United winger wins a corner for his side. However, the left-footed delivery comes to nothing with the referee giving a foul at the back post.

We move through the half-hour mark with Sociedad ahead and full value for their lead. Madrid are creating chances, but the visitors are offering enough to feel like they deserve this advantage.

It's Sociedad's turn to take a breather with some passing in their defensive and middle third. The game hasn't been played at a relentless pace, but this is Sociedad's first outing for two weeks so it is not a huge surprise that they are slowing things down.

Madrid think that they have claims for a penalty for a push on Ramos inside the area, but the referee waves away the appeals. VAR is not taking a look at the incident, so no action will be taken. There wasn't a lot in it.

YELLOW CARD!  The first yellow card of the game goes to Willian Jose for a foul on Carvajal on the flank.

CHANCE!  The home side have upped the intensity over the last few minutes. An outswinging corner from the right finds Casemiro, but the midfielder sends his header over the crossbar.

This remains a really entertaining contest. Sociedad could have gone into their shell on numerous occasions, but they continue to play with plenty of confidence, even with just five minutes of the first half remaining.

YELLOW CARD!  Vazquez goes into the book for a late challenge on Oyarzabal. He can have no complaints.

Sociedad have seen more of the ball over the last few minutes. Madrid haven't retreated as such, but they are being reminded that they are not having this their own way.

OFF THE POST!  Madrid hit the post! Vazquez miscued a cross into the middle, but it evaded everyone and struck the far post before rebounding clear. Sociedad survive, but only just! There will be one minute of added-on time.

HALF TIME:  Real Madrid 0-1 Real Sociedad

The half-time whistle goes at the Bernabeu and Sociedad lead thanks to Willian Jose's early penalty. Madrid have had their chances, with Benzema and Casemiro wasting the clearest openings. Solari has work to do at the break.

The opening goal stunned the Bernabeu. Casemiro brought down Merino right on the side of the area, and the referee had little choice but to award the spot kick. Ramos attempted to put off Willian Jose before he began his run-up, but the Brazilian ignored him and fired the ball into the roof of the net.

The two teams are making their way back out. This is a massive 45 minutes for Real Madrid.

KICKOFF:  Sociedad get us back underway.

Sociedad waste no time in going on the offensive at the start of this second half, and a cross from the left nearly leads to Varane putting through his own net! Nothing comes from the resulting corner.

Madrid meet fire with fire and go straight up the other end but after an inswinging cross from Vinicius Junior goes wide of the far post, Sociedad are able to breathe again.

CHANCE!  Sociedad should double their lead! A break down the right ends with Oyarzabal being found at the back post. The winger needs to take a touch, but it results in a rushed effort being directed over the bar from 14 yards out.

CHANCE!  Vinicius Junior has been Madrid's best player and the 18-year-old almost scores a delightful goal, drifting in-field before firing wide of the far post from 20 yards out.

YELLOW CARD!  Marcelo is cautioned after halting a break-away by hacking down a Sociedad player.

SHOT!  Before that, Sociedad went close yet again. Januzaj cut inside from the right onto his left foot and curled a shot marginally wide of the far post.

There are surely more goals in this match. Sociedad have been superb this evening and you certainly wouldn't write them off when it comes to netting a second.

SUBSTITUTION! Solari has seen enough. Isco is being introduced for Casemiro.

This would have been goal of the season. Sociedad put together a quite stunning move from back to front - we are talking at least 20 passes - but when Januzaj is given the chance to shoot from 12 yards out, he hits his effort straight at a defender.

RED CARD!  Real Madrid go down to 10 men! Vazquez commits a silly foul in the middle of the pitch in order to stop a counter-attack, and it is a definite yellow card.

It's going to take a monumental effort from Madrid to get something from this match. They are down to 10 men and playing with no holding midfielder. Sociedad will continue to press forward and could very well double their lead.

CHANCE!  Madrid are absolutely ploughing forward now. Vinicius Junior sees a volley at the back post saved by Rulli, before the rebound falls to Ramos and is blocked on the line! The attack continued, but ended with Ramos seeing a header saved by Rulli.

Sociedad went back up the other end and another opportunity went the way of Januzaj. However, the midfielder could only fire straight at Courtois from around 12 yards out.

Before that glut of chances, Madrid felt that they should have been given a penalty and they had a case. Vinicius Junior went round Rulli and although the goalkeeper may have got a slight touch, he also clipped the ankles of the forward. Sociedad got lucky there.

We move into the final 20 minutes with both teams giving everything to get another goal. I still cannot see this game remaining at 1-0. Sociedad will rue the chances that they have missed should they not win this match.

Yet another opening for Sociedad who have men over, but two players are adjudged to be offside.

SUBSTITUTION! Sociedad make an alteration with Pardo being brought on in place of Merino.

YELLOW CARD!  Modric goes into the book for dissent. Madrid's frustrations are starting to boil over.

SUBSTITUTION! Solari opts to withdraw Marcelo with Requilon being introduced.

Sociedad are persisting with their counter-attacks and they are almost in on goal when Ramos gets pulled out of position. However, the Madrid skipper gets back to make a tackle on the edge of the area.

SUBSTITUTION! Madrid's third switch sees Ceballos take the place of Kroos.

GOAL!  Real Madrid 0-2 Real Sociedad (Ruben Pardo)

Game over, surely. Sociedad finally take one of their chances to double their lead at the Bernabeu. Willian Jose's floated cross finds Pardo at the back post and the substitute heads across Courtois and into the far corner.

This could be the end of Madrid's title challenge. If Barcelona beat Getafe later this evening, Madrid will be 10 points adrift of their fierce rivals.

Madrid are continuing to push forward, but the Bernabeu is flat. The supporters have accepted that this game - and their hopes of another La Liga crown - are realistically over.

Sociedad are on the offensive now, but they are not playing with the same pace and urgency as earlier. They just want to see this game out now.

There will be three minutes of added-on time. We are just going through the motions.

FULL TIME:  Real Madrid 0-2 Real Sociedad

The full-time whistle goes at the Bernabeu and Sociedad have comfortably held on to register a 2-0 triumph over Madrid. The home side had their opportunities, but goals from Willian Jose and Pardo have given the visitors a famous win. Madrid remain in fifth position, while Sociedad move up to 12th place!

That will be all from Sports Mole for this match. Thank you for joining us this evening and we hope that you can stick around for the game involving Getafe and Barcelona.

If you would like to read our on-the-whistle match report, you can do so by clicking here. Goodbye for now.