Preview: Atlético Madrid vs Real Sociedad

Written By Patrick Echatah

Atlético Madrid are back in action with another crucial La Liga match this weekend as they lock horns with Real Sociedad on Sunday. Both teams have good players in their ranks and will want to win this game.

Real Sociedad are currently at the top of the La Liga standings and have enjoyed an outstanding season so far. La Real edged Mallorca to an important 1-0 victory in their previous league game and will want a similar result from this match.

Atlético Madrid, on the other hand, are in fourth place in the league table and have been inconsistent over the past month. Los Rojiblancos suffered an unfortunate 3-2 defeat against Liverpool this week and will want to bounce back in this fixture.

STYLE OF PLAY

Diego Simeone will most likely adopt the 3-5-2 formation rather than his most trusted 4-4-2. This will help them to keep the excesses of the marauding forwards of Real Sociedad in check as they will adopt a 5-man defense when they are under attack. The formation usually varies depending on whether the team is attacking (3-5-2) or defending (5-3-2).

Real Sociedad often play a 4-2-3-1 formation. Using a double pivot defensive midfielder, one lone striker and three attacking midfielders or two wingers and an attacking midfielder to provide support for the lone striker. They prefer to play the waiting game, trying to hit their opponents on a counter with quick breaks and fast interchange of passes.

FORM

Atlético Madrid have 17 points after winning five, drawing two, and losing one of their first eight matches of the season, putting them in a comfortable 13th place in the league moving into the next series of fixtures. Atlético Madrid are unbeaten in their first four home matches in La Liga, while Sociedad have won two out of their four outings away from the Reale Arena.

In their last ten matches across all competitions, Atletico Madrid have only lost once, with six victories, their last win come against Barcelona at the Wanda Metropolitano stadium, before the international break, while they have tied just three matches.

Real Sociedad continued their good run of form last time out in the Europa League on Thursday, when they travelled to Austria where they faced Sturm Graz. After drawing their first two games in that competition, Imanol Alguacil’s side were in need of collecting three points, and that is exactly what they achieved thanks to a single strike from Alexander Isak.

That result followed another 1-0 victory in La Liga last weekend, when the home side played the whole second half with 10 players after Aihen Munoz was sent off, but Julen Lobete ensured that the 10 players of Sociedad recorded their sixth win of the league season with a strike in the 90th minute against Mallorca.

HEAD TO HEAD

Atlético Madrid have a very good record against Real Sociedad and have won 20 out of 32 matches played between the two teams. Real Sociedad have managed 11 victories against Atletico Madrid and will want to improve their record in this fixture.

The previous meeting between the two teams took place in May this year and ended in a 2-1 victory for Atletico Madrid. Real Sociedad gave a good account of themselves on the day but will need to be more robust this weekend.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

For Atléti, they would be relying on Luis Suarez for their goals but close attention should be paid to French forward, Antoine Griezmann and Portuguese forward, Joao Felix, as the latter was one of the goal scorers a couple of seasons ago when they knocked out Liverpool.

Alexander Isak is the preferred striker for Real Sociedad as he was the main source of their goals in the previous season. Spanish midfielder, Asier Illaramendi is also a big presence in the middle for the Real Sociedad.

INJURY UPDATE

Atlético Madrid: Marcos Llorente and Stefan Savic are injured at the moment and have been ruled out of this fixture. Jose Gimenez has recovered from his knock, however, and should be available for selection.

Real Sociedad: Carlos Fernandez, Nacho Monreal, Mikel Oyarzabal, Diego Rico, and Jon Guridi are injured and will be unable to play a part in this game. Asier Illarramendi, Martin Zubimendi, and Ander Barrenetxea are also yet to hit full fitness and might not feature in this match.

POSSIBLE LINEUP

Atlético Madrid (3-5-2): Jan Oblak; Mario Hermoso, Jose Gimenez, Felipe; Kieran Trippier, Yannick Carrasco, Koke, Rodrigo De Paul, Thomas Lemar; Joao Felix, Luis Suarez

Real Sociedad (4-3-3): Alex Remiro; Andoni Gorosabel, Robin Le Normand, Aritz Elustondo, Joseba Zaldua; Mikel Merino, Ander Guevara, David Silva; Portu, Adnan Januzaj, Alexander Isak

VERDICT

Atlético Madrid have been excellent over the past year and have been excellent under Diego Simeone. Real Sociedad are capable of causing an upset and will need to work extremely hard to win this crucial match. We Predict a 1-1 draw

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