Chelsea round off their pre-season schedule on Saturday when they welcome Real Sociedad to Stamford Bridge.
The fixture carries extra significance for Blues boss Xabi Alonso, who comes up against the club where he began both his playing and coaching careers before turning his attention to Chelsea’s Premier League opener.
The Blues have recorded two wins, two defeats and a draw from their five summer friendlies, with an impressive 3-0 victory over AC Milan followed by an entertaining 3-3 draw against Johor Darul Ta’zim 24 hours later.
Alonso’s attacking ideas have already started to take shape, with Chelsea creating plenty of chances throughout pre-season, but defensive lapses have also highlighted areas that still require improvement before the competitive campaign begins.
Real Sociedad arrive in London after an inconsistent pre-season under new head coach Pellegrino Matarazzo.
The Basque side have managed two wins, one draw and three defeats across their six friendlies, although victories over Wolves and Aston Villa demonstrated their ability to trouble Premier League opposition.
Chelsea v Real Sociedad team news
Chelsea have welcomed several World Cup stars back into the squad this week, including Reece James, Enzo Fernandez, Morgan Rogers, Maxence Lacroix and Malo Gusto.
Most of the returning players are expected to feature from the bench as they continue building fitness, while summer signing Pep Chavarria could also make his first appearance.
Joao Pedro is expected to lead the attack after an excellent pre-season, with Cole Palmer, Moises Caicedo, Romeo Lavia and Levi Colwill all pushing for starts.
Aaron Anselmino is doubtful after picking up an injury against Johor Darul Ta’zim, while Jordan Henderson and Emmanuel Emegha will also need late fitness checks.
Real Sociedad remain without long-term absentee Alvaro Odriozola because of a knee injury.
Orri Oskarsson has been the visitors’ standout performer in pre-season, scoring three goals in five appearances, while Carlos Soler has also impressed with two goals.
Spain international Mikel Oyarzabal has returned following the World Cup and could feature from the bench, although a starting role appears unlikely.
Chelsea v Sociedad predicted line-ups
Chelsea: Sanchez; Palestra, Fofana, Colwill, Hato; Caicedo, Lavia; Estevao, Palmer, Gittens; Joao Pedro
Real Sociedad: Remiro; Aramburu, Martin, Zubeldia, Gomez; Herrera, Turrientes; Barrenetxea, Soler, Marchal; Oskarsson
Where to watch Chelsea v Sociedad: TV and online streams
Kick-off on Sunday is at 14:00 BST (08:00 PT / 05:00 ET). Live coverage and streaming is on CFC Plus, which costs £14.99 a year.
Chelsea v Real Sociedad stats
- These teams met at Stamford Bridge in a friendly in 2014, when new signings Thibaut Courtois, Cesc Fabregas and Diego Costa made their first Chelsea appearances
- Costa scored both goals in Chelsea’s 2-0 win – the first after 58 seconds – while Blues striker Fernando Torres made his final appearance for the club in the game
- Jose Mourinho, who will meet Sociedad this season in his second spell as Real Madrid manager, was in his second tenure as Chelsea boss at the time of that match
- Mourinho guided Chelsea to the Premier League title by eight points ahead of Manchester City that season, as well as EFL Cup glory
- Chelsea’s competitive record against Spanish clubs is W22 D18 L13, including their current two-match winning run in such fixtures, comprising a 3-0 home win over Barcelona in the Champions League in November 2025 and a 4-1 victory over Betis to win the Conference League in Wroclaw the previous May
- One of the managers Chelsea are set to face in this season’s Premier League, David Moyes, took charge of Sociedad three months after that friendly at Stamford Bridge, succeeding Jagoba Arrasate
- Sociedad finished 12th in La Liga that season, helped by new Manchester City goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli
- They visited England in pre-season in 2025/26 to play two friendlies on August 9 against Bournemouth, drawing 1-1 in the first of those games through Ander Barrenetxea’s 89th-minute equaliser
- The second game at the Vitality Stadium finished 0-0, preceding a season in which Sociedad finished 10th in La Liga and won the Copa del Rey
- They faced English opposition in the 2024/25 Europa League, drawing 1-1 at home to Manchester United before losing 4-1 at Old Trafford. Mikel Oyarzabal scored both of their goals
- Against English clubs, Sociedad’s competitive record is W1 D3 L6. The last eight of those games have been against United, with the victory a 1-0 win at Old Trafford during the Europa League group stage in September 2022
Chelsea v Sociedad prediction
Chelsea’s returning World Cup stars should provide an extra boost, while Real Sociedad’s defensive struggles are difficult to ignore.
The visitors have looked dangerous going forward throughout pre-season, but Chelsea’s attacking quality should prove too much at Stamford Bridge.
Prediction: Chelsea 3-1 Real Sociedad.
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