Benítez has decided to keep Varane on the bench after the French defender recovered from his muscle injury. Nacho will start in the center of Madrid's defense alongside Pepe.
Real Madrid Starting XI: Navas; Danilo, Nacho, Pepe, Marcelo; Kroos, Modric, James; Bale, Benzema, & Cristiano.
Real Sociedad Starting XI: To Be Confirmed
Real Madrid should definitely win this match with that starting XI. Kroos, Modric and James have enough quality and composure to control the tempo of the game, but it's true that Real Sociedad have enough firepower to hurt Madrid's defense if they are not focused. Nacho has proven to be a liability against physical attackers and Agirretxe is precisely that kind of player.
This will be an important test for Rafa Benítez ahead of Sunday's visit to Mestalla to play against Valencia, which could very well be a crucial game for Los Blancos' title hopes in this 2015-2016 edition of the Liga BBVA.