Real Sociedad vs Atl. Madrid prediction: SPAIN: LaLiga betting tips on match 2022-09-02 16:30.
Fresh off the back of a narrow 1-0 victory at Elche, Real Sociedad host Atlético Madrid with the Basque club having enjoyed a positive start to the La Liga (LL) campaign (W2, L1). A UEFA Europa League tie against Manchester United is on the horizon, and Sociedad are well placed for a dress rehearsal against quality opposition, with their two LL clean sheets this season enhancing a stunning defensive record that sees Sociedad (13) only behind AC Milan (14) in the top-five European divisions for league shutouts in 2022.
Sociedad haven’t fared well against the LL elite in recent times however, with a 4-1 home defeat to Barcelona in their last contest extending a winless run of 12 successive home games against last season’s top four (D4, L8) – although their last win did come against AtlĂ©tico in 2019 (2-1)! Throw in the fact that Sociedad have only won one of the last eight H2H league contests (D2, L5), and few will fancy their chances here.
In one of football's more curious stories, Antoine Griezmann has been a fascinating determinant in Atlético’s season so far. With a contract clause stating that the Madrid club will pay €40 million euros if Griezmann plays more than 30 minutes (exc injury time) in 80% or more of the games he’s available, manager Diego Simeone has so far been bringing the striker on after 62 minutes onwards. This paid dividends in remarkable fashion in Atlético’s 1-0 league victory over Valencia on Monday, with the French forward netting the winner just two minutes after coming onto the pitch.
It was a typical backs to the wall victory at the Mestalla, which saw AtlĂ©ti maintain an unbeaten LL away record this season (W2), as they aim to keep pressure on league-leaders and arch-rivals Real Madrid. So AtlĂ©tico are arriving here with a point to prove and in excellent travelling form, having won four successive LL away trips – including a 2-1 victory over Sociedad on the final day of last season!
Players to watch: Ten of Sociedad’s last 14 LL wins or losses have been decided by one goal, including their last league outing, where newly-signed forward Brais MĂ©ndez struck the decisive blow. Meanwhile, Griezmann has scored two goals in just 82 minutes worth of LL action so far this campaign – as many as he managed in his previous 19 league games for AtlĂ©tico.
Hot stat: Seven of Atlético’s last nine LL games have seen only one side score.