Chelsea welcome Real Sociedad to Stamford Bridge on Saturday for their final pre-season friendly. The fixture is Xabi Alonso's first home match as Blues manager and brings a reunion with the club where he began both his playing career and his journey in management.
Chelsea enter the game after a mixed tour of Australia and Asia, recording two wins, two defeats and a draw. Alonso's side showed their attacking potential in a 6-4 victory over Western Sydney Wanderers and a 3-0 win against AC Milan, but the 3-3 draw with Johor Darul Ta'zim again exposed the defensive work still required before their Premier League opener.
Real Sociedad have also struggled for consistency during Pellegrino Matarazzo's first pre-season in charge. The Copa del Rey winners beat Wolverhampton Wanderers and Aston Villa during their English tests, but successive 2-1 defeats to Toulouse and FC Koln leave them looking for a response before their La Liga campaign begins.
Chelsea vs Real Sociedad: Key Stats
Chelsea pre-season form guide: W-L-L-W-D, with two wins from five friendlies
Real Sociedad pre-season form guide: L-D-W-W-L-L, with two wins from six friendlies
Chelsea have scored 13 goals and conceded 10 across their five pre-season matches
Real Sociedad have failed to keep a clean sheet in all six friendlies and conceded twice in each of their last three
Chelsea won the previous meeting 2-0 at Stamford Bridge in August 2014
Photo Credit (Chelsea FC)
What to Expect
Chelsea should field a stronger and more familiar side than the one used in the 3-3 draw with Johor Darul Ta'zim. Cole Palmer, Joao Pedro, Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia are all in contention to start, while Levi Colwill could return after missing the final two tour matches. Reece James, Enzo Fernandez, Morgan Rogers, Maxence Lacroix and Malo Gusto have only recently returned following the World Cup and are more likely to be introduced from the bench.
Alonso will want Chelsea to control possession through Caicedo and Lavia, with Palmer operating between the lines and Estevao and Jamie Gittens stretching the pitch. Joao Pedro gives the attack movement and combination play through the middle, but the Blues must manage transitions better after conceding three against JDT and 10 across five friendlies.
Real Sociedad should remain dangerous even if Chelsea dominate the ball. Orri Oskarsson has scored three times in five pre-season appearances, while Carlos Soler has contributed two goals and can exploit space around the penalty area. Mikel Oyarzabal may offer further threat from the bench after returning from Spain's World Cup campaign, although Alvaro Odriozola is ruled out with a long-term knee injury.
Predicted Lineups
Chelsea (4-2-3-1)
Sanchez; Palestra, Fofana, Colwill, Hato; Caicedo, Lavia; Estevao, Palmer, Gittens; Joao Pedro
Real Sociedad (4-2-3-1)
Remiro; Aramburu, Martin, Zubeldia, Gomez; Herrera, Turrientes; Barrenetxea, Soler, Marchal; Oskarsson
Players to Watch
Cole Palmer - Remains Chelsea's main creative reference and should start in the number 10 role. His ability to receive between the lines and combine with Joao Pedro will be central to breaking down Real Sociedad's compact midfield.
Joao Pedro - Has been Chelsea's sharpest finisher this summer, scoring a hat-trick against Western Sydney Wanderers and twice against AC Milan. His movement across the front line gives Alonso a focal point without making the attack predictable.
Orri Oskarsson - Leads Real Sociedad's attack after scoring three times in five pre-season appearances. Chelsea have allowed opponents too much space in transition, and the striker's movement behind the centre-backs could punish another loose defensive display.
Carlos Soler - Has scored twice during Real Sociedad's preparations and provides their clearest creative threat around the box. His delivery and late runs from midfield can test a Chelsea defence that has kept only one clean sheet this summer.
Prediction
Prediction: Both teams to score @ 1.58
Chelsea have scored in four of their five friendlies and produced 13 goals overall, with Joao Pedro, Palmer and Estevao giving Alonso enough quality to trouble a Real Sociedad defence that has not kept a clean sheet all summer. The visitors have conceded twice in each of their last three matches.
Real Sociedad also carry enough threat to contribute. They have scored in five of six friendlies, including victories over Wolves and Aston Villa, while Oskarsson and Soler arrive in scoring form. Chelsea have conceded 10 times and kept only one clean sheet in five outings, so backing both sides to find the net is safer than relying on either inconsistent team to win.