Match Overview

Real Sociedad host Atletico Madrid in a key La Liga meeting that contrasts an improving home side with an away team in strong form. Real Sociedad are 16th with 17 points from 17 matches and need a result to keep distance from the lower places. Atletico arrive with momentum after a run packed with goals and clean performances. Recent history favors Atletico, and the hosts will seek a response after a heavy loss in the last head-to-head.

• Fixture: Real Sociedad vs Atletico Madrid
• Competition: La Liga
• Venue: Not provided
• Date: 04-01-2026
• Kickoff: 20:00 / 20:00 UTC

Predicted Lineups

Real Sociedad

• Álex Remiro
• Sergio Gómez
• Zubeldia
• J. Aramburu
• Jon Martín
• Jon Gorrotxategi
• Brais Méndez
• Carlos Soler
• L. Sučić
• Gonçalo Guedes
• Mikel Oyarzabal

Atletico Madrid

• J. Oblak
• D. Hancko
• Marcos Llorente
• M. Ruggeri
• Robin Le Normand
• Koke
• Pablo Barrios
• C. Gallagher
• J. Cardoso
• J. Álvarez
• A. Sørloth

Injury & Suspension Report

Real Sociedad

• O. Oskarsson — Hamstring Injury
• Barrenetxea — Muscle Injury
• Y. Herrera — Calf Injury
• Rupérez — Knee Injury
• Jon Gorrotxategi — Yellow Cards
• Zubeldia — Yellow Cards

Atletico Madrid

• J. Giménez — Hamstring Injury
• N. Gonzalez — Thigh Injury
• C. Lenglet — Knee Injury

Head-to-Head

Across 55 meetings, Atletico Madrid hold the edge with 26 wins, Real Sociedad have 18 victories, and there have been 11 draws. Recent clashes tend to sit just under three goals per match. The last encounter ended 4-0 to Atletico, underlining their cutting edge in this fixture.

Match Analysis & Prediction

Real Sociedad’s recent trajectory is steady rather than spectacular: 17 points from 17 games with two wins and a draw in the last five. Their approach emphasizes patient buildup and sudden accelerations, supported by a proactive press. The attack has produced six goals across those five matches, with Mikel Oyarzabal the main reference in the box after three goals in eight home outings. Service from Brais Méndez, Carlos Soler, and L. Sučić will be crucial, while the disciplinary status of Zubeldia and Jon Gorrotxategi needs managing in a high-intensity contest.

Atletico Madrid arrive in strong form, with four wins in their last five and 11 goals scored in that stretch. A recent 3-0 victory over Girona featured a goal from Koke, and the attack has been buoyed by Julián Álvarez’s seven goals in the competition and Antoine Griezmann’s run of four in his last three appearances. Their blueprint remains a mix of high pressing and direct transitions, anchored by J. Oblak and a back line featuring D. Hancko, M. Ruggeri, Robin Le Normand, and Marcos Llorente. In midfield, Koke, Pablo Barrios, C. Gallagher, and J. Cardoso provide control and work rate, while J. Álvarez and A. Sørloth offer complementary forward profiles.

The tactical battle should pivot on whether Real Sociedad can play through Atletico’s pressure. If the hosts progress cleanly into advanced zones, Oyarzabal’s movement and Guedes’s runs can threaten the space behind. Méndez’s creativity between the lines and Sučić’s passing range are key to tilting the midfield exchanges, while set pieces could offer Sociedad a route if open play becomes tight.

Real Sociedad risks sliding into the lower zone as Anoeta’s passionate waves meet tough league rivals tonight.

With 17 points from 17 games, the margin for error is slim for the hosts. Atletico’s H2H advantage and their recent 4-0 win in this matchup underline the visitors’ threat if Sociedad lose control in transition. The injuries to O. Oskarsson, Barrenetxea, Y. Herrera, and Rupérez reduce options in rotation, making concentration and compactness even more important against an Atletico side that punishes mistakes.

Prediction: Atletico Madrid to edge a disciplined contest. The visitors’ form and scoring momentum give them a slight advantage, while Sociedad’s structure can keep it close. Atletico Madrid to win 1-0.