Atletico Madrid vs Real Sociedad
Real Sociedad have been a huge disappointment this season. After finishing sixth in the La Liga table last season, La Real might not make it there this year. Imanol Alguacil’s men are 11th in the Spanish top-flight standings with 43 points, but a European football berth is still within their reach.
The UEFA has given La Liga an additional Champions League spot, so finishing as the eighth seed will earn you a Europa Conference League spot. Real Sociedad are only three points adrift of seventh-seeded Celta Vigo and could close the gap with a league victory this Saturday against Atletico Madrid.
Atletico Madrid are sitting comfortably in third place with 67 points. Diego Simeone’s men are keen to return to winning ways after they were held to a goalless draw by Alaves last time out.
This is one of the biggest games in matchday 35, and SBOTOP is here for the preview.
Talking Points
No Alvarez for Atletico Madrid
Atletico Madrid will be without Julian Alvarez this Saturday because he must serve his suspension due to an accumulation of yellow cards. This is a huge blow to Los Rojiblancos’ attack since the Argentine striker is their top scorer this season with 15 league goals and two assists.
Alexander Sorloth, with 13 league goals and two assists, will likely take Alvarez’s spot in the final third. Antoine Griezmann, with eight league goals and six assists, will join Sorloth up front as part of Diego Simeone’s 4-4-2 formation. Rodrigo Riquelme is doubtful against Real Sociedad due to a muscular problem and is the team’s only notable absentee.
Conor Gallagher, Pablo Barrios, Rodrigo De Paul, and Giuliano Simeone make up for Los Rojiblancos’ midfield. Javi Galan, Clement Lenglet, Robin Le Normand, and Marcos Llorente make up for their back four, with Jan Oblak manning between the sticks. Atletico Madrid boasts enough depth, with Koke, Angel Correa, Samuel Lino, Nahuel Molina, Jose Maria Gimenez, Cesar Azpilicueta, Axel Witsel, and Thomas Lemar sitting on the bench.
Zubimendi could be saying goodbye to Real Sociedad
Regardless of what happens this season, Real Sociedad face a huge decision whether to cash in on Martin Zubimendi or not this summer, with multiple Premier League teams knocking on their door.
The 26-year-old midfielder was supposed to join Liverpool last year but decided to stay in the Basque Country for one more season. However, with how the 2024-25 campaign has unfolded, Zubimendi should find a new challenge for his football career.
Another fine performance would further boost Zubimendi’s stock before the summer transfer window. This season, the Spanish international is in the 94th percentile among midfielders in clearances per 90 (2.73), 86th percentile in aerial duels won per 90 (1.70), and 76th percentile in interceptions per 90 (1.29).
Zubimendi is not the only Real Sociedad player on Atletico Madrid’s scouting report. Mikel Oyarzabal and Takefusa Kubo, with 13 league goals combined this year, pose a threat in the final third, and they’re keen to make new La Liga 2025 highlights this Saturday.
History
Real Sociedad held Atletico Madrid to a 1-1 draw in their first league encounter of the 2024-25 campaign last October at Anoeta. Julian Alvarez struck first in the opening minute, but Luka Sucic had other plans as he scored the equaliser during the 84th minute.
Atletico Madrid are undefeated in their last 10 La Liga matches against Real Sociedad (W6, D4) since a 2-0 loss in September 2019. It is their longest unbeaten run against the Basque side in the Spanish top-flight since a run of 13 matches in April 1976 (W8, D5).
Los Rojiblancos are also unbeaten in their last 11 La Liga home matches against La Real (W9, D2) since a 1-0 defeat in March 2013. Overall, Diego Simeone’s men only lost one league home game in 2024-25 (W12, D4) – 4-2 against Barcelona last March.
Betting Tip
The La Liga 2025 odds predict Atletico Madrid returning to the win column on Saturday evening. Los Rojiblancos are 1.65 favourites to win, whereas La Real are 4.80 underdogs, and a draw is at 3.49 in the 1X2 market.
Diego Simeone won’t mind another low-scoring win, though a goalless draw is also possible. Besides our recommended bet, football fans and bettors should consider alternatives like Under 2.75 at 1.63, Under 2.50 at 1.83, Under 2.25 at 2.06, and even Total Goal 0-1 at 2.91. Meanwhile, a Correct Score of 1-1 – the result of the reverse fixture – could yield a decent payday of 6.90 your bet.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR (⭐) BETS ARE WORTH:
⭐⭐⭐= €20 (HIGHLY CONFIDENT)
⭐⭐= €10 (CONFIDENT)
⭐= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT)
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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