Best Odds: 4/5
Bookmaker:
In what could be an enjoyable affair from the Estadio Metropolitano on Sunday evening, Atletico Madrid will welcome Real Sociedad to the capital.
Atletico Madrid
Starting with the hosts, while Atletico Madrid might have been disappointed by their second-half collapse away at Espanyol earlier in the week, Diego Simeone’s side have continued to impress many since returning from the World Cup’s winter break. Despite being last seen eventually playing out a 3-3 draw outside of the capital, Los Colchoneros have lost just a pair of domestic appearances since way back on January 26th. Cruising their way to another Champions League ticket in 2023, the former Spanish champions are now simply hoping to sign off their campaign with a flurry. Although Atletico might have remarkably recorded just a single clean sheet from any of their previous 10 matchups across all competitions, Simeone’s side have found a real clinical edge in the final third. Including opening May with a 5-1 romp at home against Cadiz, it is worth highlighting that the La Liga giants have recorded at least a trio of strikes in five of their last six domestic showdowns.
Team News
All dealing with respective long-term injury issues, Atletico Madrid will once again be without the likes of Reinildo Mandava, Stefan Savic and Jan Oblak. However, despite missing out against Espanyol earlier in the week, Simeone remains hopeful that attacking talisman Alvaro Morata will be able to make a full return on Sunday evening.
However, with ex-Barcelona forward Memphis Depay a major injury doubt this weekend, Antoine Griezmann should once again spearhead Atletico’s charge after bagging five goals in his previous eight domestic appearances.
Real Sociedad
As for the visitors, only continuing on what has been a remarkable purple patch over the past month, Real Sociedad should find the mood in their camp at a red-hot high. Along with claiming a stellar 2-1 victory against newly-crowned champions Barcelona last weekend, Imanol Alguacil’s side were last seen putting in another eye-catching performance a few days ago. Claiming a gritty 1-0 victory at home against America in midweek, La Real are riding a real wave of momentum. Opening up Sunday’s showdown in the capital knowing that a single point will be enough to officially book a top-four return, Sociedad will be desperate to lay down another marker here. In fact, on a run that is highlighted by a deserved 2-0 win against Real Madrid when opening May, Alguacil’s men are unbeaten in each of their last seven straight domestic appearances a run that stems back to April 15th.
Team News
Both serving their own respective one-match suspensions in midweek, the duo of Igor Zubeldia and Asier Illarramendi will make their returns here. However, dealing with a long-term knee injury, Real Sociedad have confirmed that Umar Sadiq will not feature in either of La Real’s final two domestic outings.
Bagging the winner against Almeria a few days ago and now notching three goals in his last five La Liga appearances, 21-year-old Takefusa Kubo should once again partner Carlos Fernandez in attack.
Key Factors to Consider
