Looking at the La Liga match schedule this week, Barcelona will face Girona while Real Madrid will face Real Sociedad. Of course for barcelona it is an easy game and for sure they will secure 3 more points. Meanwhile, Real Madrid must face Real Sociedad, which is the team in the 3rd standings at the moment. Surely Don Carlo will have a lot of trouble with how to win this match, on the other hand Real Madrid as the host at least they can still be favored in this fight.
This week will determine whether Barcelona can widen the gap with Real Madrid or even Real Madrid, which will be further away from Barcelona if they lose the match against Real Sociedad later.
I don't think that Real Sociedad's third place gives it the status of some special opponent, especially considering that the game will be at the Santiago Bernabeu. Even Atlético, which is traditionally considered a serious opponent for Real and Barcelona, has been beaten by both clubs this season. It seems to me that Real Madrid will not have problems with Sociedad. But by the way Barcelona's away game can bring a surprise.
Indeed, Real Sociedad is not a special opponent for Real Madrid, but looking at the standings, of course they will still be a threat to Real Madrid this season. Moreover, Real Madrid's performance has not been stable this season, so it is very doubtful whether Real Madrid can beat Real Sociedad or not. Barcelona's away match had raised a question mark in my mind, if they drew or lost, of course this would be Real Madrid's chance to catch up on points from Barcelona.