Real Sociedad and Atletico Madrid will aim to recover from their recent European setbacks as they return to La Liga action on Sunday night. Real Sociedad are in 14th place, with just eight points from their first eight games, while Atletico Madrid sit in fourth, having earned 16 points from their opening fixtures.
Real Sociedad vs Atletico Madrid: Preview
Real Sociedad’s start to the season has been disappointing, with only eight points separating them from the relegation zone. The Basque side has struggled offensively, scoring just six goals across their eight league matches and already finding themselves eight points adrift of the top four. While they secured an impressive 3-0 win over Valencia in La Liga last weekend, their form faltered again in Europe, losing 2-1 at home to Anderlecht in the Europa League on Thursday.
Atletico Madrid, on the other hand, salvaged a late draw against Real Madrid in last weekend’s derby but was stunned midweek in the Champions League, losing 4-0 to Benfica in Portugal—marking their first defeat of the season.
Match Details
Match: Atletico Madrid @ Real Sociedad
Stadium: Reale Arena
Date & Time: Oct 6, 2024 at 8 pm UK
Real Sociedad vs Atletico Madrid: Team News & Head-to-Head
Real Sociedad
Real Sociedad’s talented squad has underachieved, with just one point from their first two Europa League group matches. The team has also lost their last three league encounters against Atletico Madrid, having not beaten them in La Liga since September 2019.
Real Sociedad will be without injured players Igor Zubeldia, Hamari Traore, and Arsen Zakharyan for Sunday’s game. Head coach Imanol Alguacil is expected to rotate his squad, with Nayef Aguerd, Takefusa Kubo, and Ander Barrenetxea likely returning to the starting lineup. Mikel Oyarzabal and Martin Zubimendi should also be reinstated after missing out in midweek.
Atletico Madrid
Atletico will be eager to bounce back. After a solid start in La Liga, they are fourth with 16 points, only two behind second-placed Real Madrid. A victory over Real Sociedad would strengthen their position heading into the October international break.
For Atletico, Robin Le Normand, Cesar Azpilicueta, and Pablo Barrios are unavailable, and Marcos Llorente will be suspended after receiving a red card in the Madrid derby. Nahuel Molina and Conor Gallagher could return to the starting XI, with Antoine Griezmann and Julian Alvarez leading the attack.
Head-to-Head
Atletico Madrid secured a 2-0 win in their last La Liga visit to Real Sociedad and has only lost to them once in the league since April 2018. Real Sociedad has failed to secure a win in the last five meetings of these two teams. Two matches have ended in a draw, and Atletico Madrid has won the other three.
Possible Starting XI
Real Sociedad: Remiro; Aramburu, Zubeldia, Aguerd, J Lopez; Zubimendi, Sucic, S Gomez; Kubo, Oyarzabal, Barrenetxea
Atletico Madrid: Oblak; Molina, Witsel, Gimenez, Reinildo; De Paul, Koke, Gallagher, Lino; Alvarez, Griezmann.
Real Sociedad vs Atletico Madrid: Prediction
Atletico Madrid will look to grab these three important points back home to Madrid. A win here will provide a great momentum boost for both these teams. It will be expected for Real Sociedad to hold defensively solid and hurt Atletico on counter-attacks.
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