Real Sociedad vs Atletico Madrid Preview: Team News & Prediction
by Alex Lawes ·
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It is a new era for Real Sociedad as 2026 begins in La Liga with La Real welcoming Atletico Madrid to the Reale Arena in the Basque Country on Sunday evening.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN have the exclusive rights to La Liga games in the USA, so any game may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
How to watch online: UK – Premier Player / US – ESPN+
Real Sociedad preview: New era for La Real
After a disappointing opening half of the campaign, Real Sociedad have taken the decision to part company with former B team coach Sergio Francisco and they have replaced him with former Hoffenheim boss Pellegrino Matarrazo.
The Basque giants begin the weekend’s round of fixtures sitting 16th in the table after a 1-1 draw with rock-bottom Levante a couple of weeks ago means they have won just one of their last six matches since a derby day win against Athletic Club in November.
Atletico Madrid preview: Finding form
Diego Simeone came under a fair bit of pressure in charge of Atletico Madrid at the start of this season but Los Rojiblancos have since regained their form and they sit nine points behind Barcelona at the top-of-the-table but tucked inside the top three.
Atletico headed into the mid-season winter break on the back of an impressive 3-0 hammering of an improved Girona side at Montilivi, courtesy of goals from Koke, Conor Gallagher and Antoine Griezmann.
Real Sociedad team news: Couple of suspensions
Real Sociedad are dealing with a couple of suspension issues for this one with centre-back Igor Zubeldia sidelined alongside midfielder Jon Gorrotxategi.
Predicted XI (4-1-4-1): Alex Remiro; Aritz Elustondo, Jon Martin, Aihen Munoz, Sergio Gomez; Carlos Soler; Kubo, Sucic, Pablo Marin, Guedes; Mikel Oyarzabal
Unavailable: Igor Zubeldia (Suspended), Jon Gorrotxategi (Suspended), Inaki Ruperez (Injured)
Questionable: Yangel Herrera (Injured), Ander Barrenetxea (Injured), Oskarsson (Injured)
Atletico Madrid team news: A few doubts
The visitors head north with a couple of key doubts for this one, such as centre-back Jose Maria Gimenez and attacking duo Alex Baena and Nicolas Gonzalez.
Predicted XI (4-4-2): Oblak; Marcos Llorente, Marc Pubill, Hancko, Ruggeri; Giuliano Simeone, Koke, Pablo Barrios, Gallagher; Sorloth, Julian Alvarez
Unavailable: Lenglet (Injured)
Questionable: Jose Maria Gimenez (Injured), Alex Baena (Injured), Gonzalez (Injured)
Real Sociedad vs Atletico Madrid prediction
Real Sociedad have badly failed to get the best out of what is a lot of talent in their squad, especially in the final third, perhaps still reeling from departures of Mikel Merino and Martin Zubimendi in recent seasons. Diego Simeone has been given a lot of money, both personally and in the transfer window, to evolve Atletico and they are a fair bit better to watch. La Real will play with intensity with a new manager and home advantage and so it could be quite a surprisingly fun watch for the neutral.
Real Sociedad vs Atletico Madrid tip: Both teams to score
