Real Sociedad vs Atletico Madrid Preview: Team News & Prediction
by Alex Lawes ·
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Real Sociedad have been left frustrated at the start of this season but have improved as the Basque giants now welcome Atletico Madrid to the Reale Arena.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Premier Sports / USA – 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 / USA – ESPN+
Real Sociedad preview: La Real improvement
Having collapsed at the second half of last season after winning the Copa del Rey, Real Sociedad brought that into this season with back-to-back defeats but La Real have now collected seven points from their last three matches.
Pellegrino Matarazzo’s side had a 2-0 lead in the first half at Elche last week before an Elche fight back but then, against the run of play, Luka Sucic produced a lovely solo goal to get Real Sociedad another crucial three points.
Atletico Madrid preview: Back-to-back defeats
Diego Simeone has been given a heavy summer of spending once again at Atletico Madrid but Los Rojiblancos remain a team that are struggling for consistency already as they now head into this one on the back of back-to-back defeats.
After succumbing to a 3-0 hammering at the hands of Athletic Club at San Mames in the Basque Country last week, Atleti then lost 2-1 to Liverpool at Anfield in the UEFA Champions League in midweek after they had taken the lead.
Real Sociedad team news: Jon Martin suspended
After being sent off last weekend, Jon Martin is now missing through suspension for the hosts with former Real Madrid right-back Alvaro Odriozola remaining sidelined due to a knee injury sustained in February.
Predicted XI (4-4-1-1): Alex Remiro; Jon Aramburu, Igor Zubeldia, Sarr, Sergio Gomez; Ochieng, Yangel Herrera, Carlos Soler, Guedes; Sucic; Mikel Oyarzabal
Unavailable: Jon Martin (Suspended), Alvaro Odriozola (Injured)
Questionable: Pablo Marin (Injured)
Atletico Madrid team news: Julian Alvarez back
Back in the Basque Country again this weekend, Julian Alvarez is again expected to be eased back into the first-team fold for Atletico, especially with fellow forward Alexander Sorloth remaining sidelined.
Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Oblak; Marc Pubill, Romero, Hancko; Marcos Llorente, Koke, Pablo Barrios, Alex Grimaldo; Lee, Alex Baena; Julian Alvarez
Unavailable: Sorloth (Injured)
Questionable:
Real Sociedad vs Atletico Madrid prediction
Real Sociedad were unfortunate to be hammered so heavily by Real Madrid and lose narrowly at Real Betis in their opening couple of games, and they have now begun to rediscover the level that saw them beat Atletico on penalties in the cup final back in April. Atletico Madrid lack control at the moment and Real Sociedad should punish that with both teams scoring seeming a good bet for this marquee tie in La Liga this weekend in San Sebastian.
Real Sociedad vs Atletico Madrid tip: Both teams to score
