Atletico Madrid vs Real Sociedad Preview: Probable Lineups, Prediction, Tactics, Team News & Key Stats

Atletico Madrid have won their last four games in all competitions, and they will look to make it five in a row with a win over Real Sociedad at home.

Atletico Madrid have been in sensational form ever since their win over Real Madrid, and they will look to continue in a similar fashion when they host Real Sociedad. The visitors have been in sensational form as well, and it won’t be easy for Diego Simeone’s men to continue their winning streak.

The home team had started the new season in fine fashion. But a defeat against Valencia and a draw against Lazio in Champions League midway through September suggested things could go wrong from here on. However, post that, they squared up against Real Madrid and won the Madrid derby 3-1.

The Colchoneros have been on a winning streak since squaring up against Los Blancos. And, at this point in time, they are fifth in La Liga with 16 points in their seven outings. They are five points behind the league leaders Real Madrid but do have a game in hand.

Meanwhile, Real Sociedad are sixth in the league just a point behind the home team. In their eight matches, they have won four and played out a draw on three occasions. The visitors have won their last four matches in all competitions and their last three in the league.

La Real will square up against Atletico Madrid in search of their fifth win in a row. They are heading into this encounter on the back of a comfortable 2-0 win over Red Bull Salzburg. Real Sociedad will be high on confidence and they will surely push for all three points.

Both teams are in form, both have won their last four outings. As a result, it is going to be a high-voltage fixture. Meanwhile, The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at both squads are tries to predict the tactics they could use.

Team News & Tactics

Atletico Madrid

Diego Simeone will be without the services of seven first-team players. Jose Maria Gimenez, Stefan Savic, Memphis Depay, Pablo Barrios, Thomas Lemar, Caglar Soyuncu, and Reinildo are all unavailable.

The home team will go ahead with the tried and tested 3-5-2 formation, where Jan Oblak will be in goal. Cesar Azpilicueta, Axel Witsel and Mario Hermoso will be the back three. They will have the support of Nahuel Molina and Samuel Lino, who will start out wide as the wing-backs.

In the centre of the park, Marcos Llorente will start alongside Koke and Saul Niguez. The trio will look to control the ball possession and dictate the pace of this fixture. The wing-backs will provide the width to their attacks, while Antoine Griezmann and Alvaro Morata will feature in a more central role as the two strikers.

Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Oblak; Azpilicueta, Witsel, Hermoso; Molina, Llorente, Koke, Saul, Lino; Griezmann, Morata

Real Sociedad

The visitors will be without the services of Alvaro Odriozola, Kieran Tierney, and Martin Merquelanz for this fixture against Atletico Madrid.

Imanol Alguacil will go ahead with the 4-4-2 formation, and Alex Remiro will take charge in goal. Hamari Traore and Aihen Munoz will start out wide as the full-backs. Igor Zubeldia will pair up with Robin Le Normand in the heart of the defence.

Atletico Madrid’s attack has been on fire in the ongoing season, and the Real Sociedad back four will have to ensure they are well-organised in order to have a chance to keep a clean sheet against Diego Simeone’s team.

In the centre of the park, the in-demand Takefusa Kubo and Mikel Oyarzabal will start out wide. The duo will provide width to their attacks and also look to help out their full-backs if and when needed. Meanwhile, Martin Zubimendi and Mikel Merino will be the two central midfielders. Finally, Umar Sadiq will have the support of Brais Mendez in the final third.

Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Remiro; Traore, Zubeldia, Le Normand, Munoz; Kubo, Zubimendi, Merino, Oyarzabal; Mendez, Sadiq

Key Stats

• Both Atletico Madrid and Real Sociedad have won their last four games in all competitions.
• Atletico Madrid have won 21 out of their last 41 matches against the visitors.
• Diego Simeone’s team have been unbeaten in their last seven matches against Sociedad.
• Real Sociedad have only won one out of their last 11 away matches against a Madrid-based club.
• After having won just out of their first seven matches in the league, Real Sociedad have won each of their last two outings.

Player to Watch

Alvaro Morata

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Morata has been on fire in the 2023/24 season. He has featured in eight matches this season and has been on the pitch for 576 minutes. He has already found the back of the net on seven occasions and averages a goal every 83 minutes.

The Spanish international seems to be in the form of his life and given his recent performances he will be the one to watch out for in this fixture. The 30-year-old can surely end up being the difference between the two teams.

Prediction

Atletico Madrid 3-1 Real Sociedad

Both teams are on a four-match winning streak, and they will be looking for their fifth win in a row when they go up against each other. It is going to be a closely fought-encounter between two quality teams.

But, in the end, Diego Simeone’s men could come out on top because of the number of world-class players they have in their ranks. Atletico Madrid have quite a few star players who can decide the result of this fixture on their own. As a result, The Hard Tackle predicts a 3-1 win for the home team.