Real Sociedad vs. Atletico Madrid: Team News, Lineups, Live Stream, TV Info
Domestic football comes back with a bang this weekend, and for Atletico Madrid, that’s not a moment too soon.
Diego Simeone’s men headed into the international break off the back of a run of three winless matches—losing to Villarreal in La Liga and surprisingly to Benfica in the Champions League before Luciano Vietto’s late equaliser salvaged a point from the Madrid derby.
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If that is patchy form, then it is at least better than that of Real Sociedad, where manager David Moyes has come under pressure following a run of just one win in seven matches this season that leaves them hovering above the relegation zone.
The Scot needs victories quickly if he is to survive, and he might just see the visit of an Atletico outfit determined to right recent wrongs as exactly what he doesn’t need right now.
Date: Sunday, October 18
Time: 3 p.m. GMT/10 a.m. ET
Venue: Estadio Anoeta, San Sebastian
TV Info: Sky Sports 3
Live Stream: Sky Sports
Last 6 Results
Real Sociedad
Drew 0-0 vs. Sporting Gijon
Lost 1-0 vs. Real Betis
Lost 3-2 vs. Espanyol
Won 3-0 vs. Granada
Drew 0-0 vs. Athletic Club
Lost 3-1 vs. Malaga
Atletico Madrid
Won 2-0 vs. Galatasaray
Won 2-0 vs. Eibar
Won 2-0 vs. Getafe
Lost 1-0 vs. Villarreal
Lost 2-1 vs. Benfica
Drew 1-1 vs. Real Madrid
Team News & Predicted Lineups
Real Sociedad
Raul Navas is out injured for Sociedad, and whilst his current selections haven’t been able to glean many points for the Basques, Moyes is again likely to stick to a tried-and-trusted 4-2-3-1 system.
Imanol Agirretxe grabbed his fifth goal in five league appearances this season in the 3-1 loss at Malaga before the international break and will again lead the line, supported by Carlos Vela, Sergio Canales and David Zurutuza.
Real Sociedad potential lineup: Rulli, Elustondo, Reyes, Martinez, De La Bella, Pardo, Illarramendi, Vela, Canales, Zurutuza, Agirretxe.
Atletico Madrid
The Atletico players who’ve been away with their countries all seem to have returned with a full bill of health, meaning only Luciano Vietto and Koke are likely to be missing here.
The Argentinean boss might look to mix things up given the recent disappointing results, but Fernando Torres is set for another start after a couple of weeks of rest during the international break. Antoine Griezmann will, of course, play in attack.
Atletico Madrid potential lineup: Oblak, Juanfran, Gimenez, Godin, Luis, Gabi, Tiago, Oliver Torres, Correa, Fernando Torres, Griezmann.
Key Players
Real Sociedad: Imanol Agirretxe
It is looking increasingly clear that if Real Sociedad are going to shoot themselves out of the mess they currently find themselves in—and keep Moyes in a job in the process—then they are going to rely upon the goals of Agirretxe to do so.
The long-serving 28-year-old is having one of his more prolific seasons at the club, and if Moyes can get him firing and perhaps get one or two other players to chip in with the goals, then he can still turn things around.
Atletico Madrid: Antoine Griezmann
We seem to say it about Atletico every week, but the performance of Griezmann is certain to have a huge factor on whether or not they can banish recent disappointments and get back to winning ways.
The Frenchman has become a truly dynamic attacking weapon for both club and country, and any hope Atletico have of catching up to Barcelona and Real Madrid and possibly surpassing them this season surely lies with him.
Odds (via Odds Shark)
Real Sociedad—11/4
Atletico Madrid—Evens
Draw—12/5
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