While Atletico Madrid do not really have much to play for as a spot in the UEFA Champions League is almost certain, there is a lot at stake for Real Sociedad. The visitors are pushing for a European spot and with just four games to go, they cannot afford to drop more points.
The home team are third on the points table with 67 points in their 34 outings. They have a ten-point cushion over sixth-placed Real Betis and should be able to secure a Champions League spot without much trouble.
But Los Rojiblancos have not been in that great form having won just one out of their last three league outings. Diego Simeone’s men played out a disappointing 0-0 draw against Deportivo Alaves in their last outing, and they will be eager to return to winning ways against Real Sociedad.
Meanwhile, the visitors are 11th in the standings with 43 points from 34 outings. They are just a point behind eighth-placed Rayo Vallecano, who currently hold the UEFA Conference League spot, and only three points adrift of seventh-placed Celta Vigo, who occupy a Europa League berth. With four games to go, Real Sociedad certainly still have a lot to play for.
However, their recent form has not been that great as they have been winless in their last four league outings. La Real are heading into this one on the back of a 0-0 draw against Athletic Club and will have to put up a much better performance if they want all three points against Atletico Madrid. The Hard Tackle takes a close look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could deploy.
The home team will be without the services of Julian Alvarez, who picked up a milestone yellow last time out. Meanwhile, Rodrigo Riquelme is also a major doubt for this fixture. Apart from the duo, Diego Simeone should have everyone available for selection.
The Argentine manager is unlikely to make too many changes to the XI that started in their last outing. Alexander Sorloth coming in for Alvarez might be the only change.
Atletico Madrid will stick to the 4-4-3 formation, where Jan Oblak will be in goal. Marcos Llorente and Javi Galan should continue as the full-backs with Robin Le Normand pairing up with Clement Lenglet in the heart of the defence.
Giuliano Simeone and Conor Gallagher could feature on the flank in the midfield unit, with Rodrigo De Paul and Pablo Barrios taking up the central roles. In the final third, Sorloth will partner with the veteran French striker, Antoine Griezmann
Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Oblak; Llorente, Le Normand, Lenglet, Galan; Simeone, De Paul, Barrios, Gallagher; Griezmann, Sorloth
Real Sociedad will be without the services of Arsen Zakharyan because of a thigh problem against Atletico Madrid. Meanwhile, Orri Oskarsson, Igor Zubeldia and Alvaro Odriozola are all major doubts for this outing.
The visitors will line up in a 4-5-1 formation, where Alex Remiro will be in goal. Jon Aramburu and Aihen Munoz will be the two full-backs, while Jon Martin and Nayef Aguerd will feature in the heart of the defence.
Martin Zubimendi will be the defensive midfielder. He will have the support of Luka Sucic and Pablo Marin in the centre of the park. Meanwhile, Takefusa Kubo and Sergio Gomez will feature out wide on the flanks. While they will support the full-backs, the priority will be to provide width to their attacks. Mikel Oyarzabal will lead the line for Real Sociedad against Atletico Madrid.
Probable Lineup (4-5-1): Remiro; Aramburu, Martin, Aguerd, Munoz; Kubo, Sucic, Zubimendi, Marin, S Gomez; Oyarzabal
While Sorloth has been a regular starter for Diego Simeone in his debut campaign, he has still done a great job in the limited opportunities that he has had. The Norwegian striker has been involved in a total of 31 league games, and he has been on the pitch for 1,322 minutes.
The 29-year-old has bagged 13 goals in La Liga and also has two assists to his name. Sorloth averages a goal every 102nd minute and given how successful he has been in his limited opportunities, it will be hard to bet against him not having an impact on this game.
Diego Simeone’s men will be keen to bounce back from a disappointing draw and put on a strong display at home. Los Rojiblancos have been dominant at the Metropolitano this season, and they will fancy their chances of extending their unbeaten run in front of their own fans.
However, Real Sociedad have much more to play for at this stage of the season, and that added urgency could push them to raise their level. Despite their recent struggles, the visitors remain in the hunt for a European spot and will view this as a must-win.
Given the stakes and Real Sociedad’s desperation, this one could end in a closely-fought draw with both sides getting on the scoresheet. The Hard Tackle predicts a hard-fought 2-2 draw.
