Atl. Madrid vs Real Sociedad prediction: SPAIN: LaLiga betting tips on match 2023-10-07 14:15.
A Diego Simeone-inspired masterclass in efficiency saw Atlético Madrid convert their only three shots on target into a 3-2 UEFA Champions League (UCL) group stage win during the week. It was their fourth consecutive win across all competitions, prompting a Spanish website to report that Atlético are keen to offer Simeone a contract extension through to June 2027 during the next international break.
Simeone could be approaching that break with a sense of trepidation, having recently complained about players such as Pablo Barrios and Çağlar Söyüncü returning from international duty with physical issues. But in spite of a lengthy injury list, Atlético started this round in the top four of La Liga (LL) standings with a game in hand, having scored across both halves of their five wins so far (D1, L1).
Real Sociedad finished the last round one point behind their upcoming opponents, having also picked up four wins and a loss from their last five LL games. Setting this up to be a tasty match-up, they joined compatriots AtlĂ©tico, Barcelona and Real Madrid in winning their midweek UCL game – 2-0 away to Austrian side Salzburg – to match AtlĂ©tico’s four-game competitive winning streak.
Head coach Imanol Alguacil “really enjoyed” what he described as a “great first half” against Salzburg in which they sailed into a 2-0 lead, and it would not be a surprise if they were to force Atlético to have to fight from behind yet again. It was Sociedad’s eighth half-time lead from ten competitive outings this season, with the six they earned in league football a standout best in the division.
Players to watch: Star forwards Antoine Griezmann and Mikel Oyarzabal have made significant contributions to their teams’ success, each scoring in three of Atlético and Sociedad’s four recent consecutive competitive victories. Griezmann, in particular, appears to enjoy this matchup, scoring in six of his 13 LL wins against his former club, while three of Oyarzabal’s four goals this term have arrived after the hour mark.
Hot streak: The last five LL H2Hs saw both teams score, whilst the most recent 12 LL meetings all produced more than 1.5 total goals.