Real Sociedad vs Atletico Madrid match preview and predictions for Tuesday’s LaLiga match. Read on for the head-to-head, team news and predicted lineups as Julen Lopetegui takes his side to Mestalla.
- DATE: Tuesday 22nd December 2020
- KICK-OFF: 19:45 (local time)
- VENUE: Anoeta
- COMPETITION: LaLiga
Real Sociedad vs Atletico Madrid Preview
Real Sociedad play host to Atletico Madrid in a top of the table clash in LaLiga on Tuesday night. The hosts made a fabulous start to the season, quickly cementing themselves in 1st place but what is now an eight game winless streak in all competitions suggests that fatigue is taking its toll and the visitors will be the favourites here.
Placed in a competitive Europa League group, Imanol has tried to rotate his squad between league and European action when possible but unfortunately for La Real, the injuries are now mounting with several key players set to miss this game again.
That was the case at the weekend too as they sank to a 2-1 defeat against Levante despite taking the lead through Alexander Isak. A goal for the talented young Swede was about the biggest positive to come out of that game with his goal touch having deserted him in recent months. La Real have been creating chances throughout the campaign and even in the 2-1 defeat last week at Camp Nou, they carved out enough openings to have got a result.
Despite losing the Madrid derby, Atletico head into this game as the form team in LaLiga with 21 points from their last 7 games, 5 more than any other team has managed and 9 more than their opponents here. They head into this one having seen off Elche 3-1 at the Wanda Metropolitano at the weekend.
In many respects, that was the perfect fixture for Diego Simeone’s team to have ahead of such a big game. Of the midfield quartet and forward players who started that game, only Marcos Llorente completed the ninety minutes which should help them conserve that little bit of extra energy ahead of this challenging fixture.
Read all our LaLiga match previews here!
Head to Head
- Last 6 Competitive Meetings: 2 Real Sociedad Wins, 3 Atleti Wins, 1 Draw.
- Real Sociedad have won 3 of the last 4 meetings at Anoeta.
- All of those victories were pretty convincing – coming via 2-0 or 3-0 margins.
- The sides last met on the last day of last season with Real Sociedad netting a late equaliser at the Wanda Metropolitano to seal European football.
Team News
David Silva, Aritz Elustondo and Adnan Januzaj are all missing for the home team due to injuries. They also have doubts over Mikel Oyarzabal and Andoni Gorosabel.
We may see Atleti revert to 3-5-2 here. Joao Felix has a bruised rib and is a doubt.
Predicted Real Sociedad Starting Lineup:
Remiro – Zaldua, Zubeldia, Le Normand, Monreal – Merino, Zubimendi, Guevara – Oyarzabal, Jose, Portu (4-3-3)
Predicted Atleti Starting Lineup:
Oblak – Hermoso, Felipe, Savic – Carrasco, Llorente, Saul, Koke, Trippier – Suarez, Correa (3-5-2)
Real Sociedad vs Atletico Madrid Predictions
Score Prediction: Real Sociedad 1-2 Atletico Madrid
La Real’s selection problems and poor overall form makes it hard to fancy them here. The possible return of Mikel Oyarzabal would be a major boost and would add to their goal threat but Atleti are a confident side and might feel as though they are travelling to Anoeta at a good time.
Real Sociedad vs Atletico Madrid Betting Tips (18+)
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