Verdict: Away win
Best odds: 7/5
Bookmaker: Unibet
Both Real Sociedad and Atletico Madrid will be eager to put their recent European frustrations behind them when they clash in La Liga on Sunday night.
Sociedad, currently sitting in 14th place with just eight points from their first eight games, have struggled to find consistency so far this season. Atletico Madrid, occupying fourth in the standings with 16 points from eight games, have had a stronger start, but like their hosts in this game, they are coming off the back of a disappointing European result.
Real Sociedad
Real Sociedad’s start to the season has indeed been far from ideal, as they find themselves sitting in 14th place with just eight points from eight matches. This puts them uncomfortably close to the relegation zone, and their lack of firepower up front has been a significant issue. Scoring just six goals in eight games, Imanol Alguacil’s men are already trailing the top-four spots by eight points, making their aspirations for European qualification a tough challenge.
The Basque outfit did show signs of improvement with an impressive 3-0 victory over Valencia last weekend, their best display of the season so far. However, their failure to build on that momentum was evident in a disappointing 2-1 home defeat to Anderlecht in the Europa League on Thursday. Sociedad have only one point from their first two European outings, adding to the frustration surrounding their underperformance despite the talent within their ranks.
Historically, they have struggled against Atletico Madrid, losing their last three league encounters with the capital side, and they have not beaten Diego Simeone’s team in La Liga since September 2019. This sets the stage for a challenging encounter, where Sociedad will need to rediscover their attacking edge and defensive resilience to avoid another setback.
Team News
Sociedad will be forced to make adjustments for their clash against Atletico Madrid due to injuries, with Igor Zubeldia, Hamari Traore, and Arsen Zakharyan all sidelined. Alguacil is expected to rotate his squad after the Europa League defeat to Anderlecht.
Nayef Aguerd, Takefusa Kubo, and Ander Barrenetxea are likely to be restored to the starting lineup, providing fresh legs and attacking options. Key players like Sergio Gomez and Mikel Oyarzabal should also return to the XI, bolstering Sociedad’s creativity and goal-scoring potential.
A vital recall will be for Martin Zubimendi, who remains a crucial figure in midfield after turning down a move to Liverpool in the summer, reaffirming his commitment to the Basque club.
Atletico Madrid
Atletico’s momentum from their solid La Liga start was jolted by a heavy 4-0 defeat to Benfica in the Champions League midweek, marking their first loss of the season in any competition. That result may serve as a wake-up call for Diego Simeone’s men, who will look to bounce back in their clash with Real Sociedad on Sunday.
Despite the Champions League setback, Atletico sit comfortably in fourth place in La Liga with 16 points from eight matches, just two points shy of second-placed Real Madrid. Their domestic form has been solid, with four wins and four draws, keeping them in the hunt near the top of the table. A victory this weekend would position them well heading into the October international break and strengthen their foothold in the upper echelon of the league.
Atletico’s strong record against Real Sociedad will boost their confidence, having secured a 2-0 win in the corresponding fixture last season and losing only once to the Basque side in La Liga since April 2018. Simeone’s side may not be immediate title contenders, but with their determination to respond after the Benfica debacle, they are poised to continue their consistent league form.
Team News
Atletico Madrid will face Real Sociedad on Sunday without key players including Robin Le Normand, Cesar Azpilicueta, and Pablo Barrios, all unavailable due to injury. Marcos Llorente is also sidelined after receiving a red card in the Madrid derby, which adds further challenges to Diego Simeone’s squad depth.
To fill these gaps, Nahuel Molina and Conor Gallagher are expected to return to the starting lineup after being rested against Benfica. However, Alexander Sorloth might again start on the bench, as Antoine Griezmann and Julian Alvarez are anticipated to lead the attack together. Rodrigo De Paul may shift to a wide midfield role to help bolster the squad’s creativity and support in the offensive play.
Conclusion
Atletico will indeed be looking to rebound strongly after their disappointing defeat to Benfica, and Simeone will be eager to see his players respond with a solid performance. Sociedad, on the other hand, have struggled to find their rhythm this season, sitting low in the table and facing challenges in both their league and European campaigns.
Given Atletico’s overall form and experience, especially in crucial matches, they are likely to edge a tightly contested game against a Real Sociedad side still trying to establish itself.
Verdict: Away win
Best odds: 7/5
Bookmaker: Unibet
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