Real Sociedad will look to bring an end to their winless run in La Liga when they host Atletico Madrid at the Reale Arena on Sunday.

Atletico Madrid will be eyeing a third straight win in La Liga when they resume their league campaign with an away fixture against a struggling Real Sociedad outfit at the Reale Arena on Sunday night.

The home team are 16th on the table with just 17 points in as many outings. La Real have only managed four wins so far this season, and they are just two points clear of the drop zone.

Since their 3-1 win over Osasuna towards the end of November, they have not won a single league game. After three straight defeats in the league, the Basque outfit are heading into this one on the back of a 1-1 draw over Levante. Given their recent form, they could find it very difficult against Diego Simeone’s men.

Meanwhile, the visitors are third on the table with 37 points in their 18 outings. While they did lose momentum when they lost back-to-back league games against Barcelona and Athletic Club, the Madrid-based giants have won their last four outings across competitions.

The Colchoneros are heading into this fixture on the back of an impressive 3-0 win over Girona prior to the break. Having regained momentum in the final weeks of 2025, Atletico Madrid will be eager to kick-start the new year with a bang. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could deploy.

Team News & Tactics

Real Sociedad

Newly-appointed Real Sociedad manager Pellegrino Matarazzo will be without the services of Inaki Ruperez or Yangel Herrera against Atletico Madrid, while Jon Gorrotxategi and Igor Zubeldia are suspended. Meanwhile, Ander Barrenetxea will undergo a late fitness test to determine his availability.

The home team will line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, where Alex Remiro will be in goal. Jon Aramburu and Aihen Munoz will feature as the full-backs, while Duje Caleta-Car and Jon Martin will take charge in the heart of the defence.

As for the midfield unit, Carlos Soler and Pablo Marin will form the double pivot in the centre of the park. The Real Sociedad midfield duo will look to shield the backline and ensure their Atletico Madrid counterparts do not run the show.

Takefusa Kubo and Mikel Oyarzabal will feature on the flanks, providing width to their attacks. Brais Mendez will be the attacking midfielder behind Goncalo Guedes, who will spearhead the Real Sociedad attack against Atletico Madrid.

Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Remiro; Aramburu, Caleta-Car, Martin, Munoz; Soler, Marin; Kubo, Mendez, Oyarzabal; Guedes

Atletico Madrid

The visitors will be without the services of Clement Lenglet this weekend, while Nicolas Gonzalez will be assessed ahead of kick-off.

Diego Simeone’s team will stick to the 4-4-2 formation, where Jan Oblak will continue in goal. Marcos Llorente and David Hancko are expected to be the full-backs, while Robin Le Normand will pair up with Marc Pubill in the heart of the defence.

As for the midfield unit, Giuliano Simeone and Alex Baena will feature on the flanks, while Koke and Pablo Barrios will take up a more central role in the middle of the pitch. Alexander Sorloth will continue to partner with Julian Alvarez in the final third, while Antoine Griezmann will once again play a cameo off the bench.

Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Oblak; Llorente, Le Normand, Pubill, Hancko; Simeone, Koke, Barrios, Baena; Sorloth, Alvarez

Key Stats

• Atletico Madrid are heading into this fixture on the back of four straight wins.
• Meanwhile, Real Sociedad have won just one out of their last six league games.
• Real Sociedad have not defeated Atletico Madrid in La Liga since September 2019.
• In the last meeting between the two teams back in May 2025, Atletico Madrid recorded a massive 4-0 win.
• Atletico Madrid have only won three out of their nine away games in the league.

Player to Watch

Julian Alavrez

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Julian Alavrez has taken over as Atletico Madrid’s leading marksman from Antoine Griezmann. The 25-year-old has by far been the most important player for them this season. He has 11 goals and five assists in his 23 outings across competitions.

While the 2022 FIFA World Cup winner has been in red-hot form in the UEFA Champions League, he only has one goal contribution in his last seven league outings. Alvarez will certainly be eager to get his name on the scoresheet when he takes on Sociedad away from home.

Prediction

Real Sociedad 0-2 Atletico Madrid

Real Sociedad will be desperate to arrest their slide and ease relegation fears, but the timing of this fixture could hardly be worse. Despite possessing quality in wide areas and creativity in the final third, their lack of confidence and defensive frailties have been evident in recent weeks, making it difficult to see them fully imposing themselves against elite opposition.

Atletico Madrid, on the other hand, appear to have rediscovered their edge under Diego Simeone. Solid at the back and ruthless on the counter, the visitors should be well-equipped to control proceedings and punish any mistakes.

While their away form has been patchy, Atletico Madrid’s current momentum and superior organisation are expected to carry them through in a disciplined performance. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-0 win for the away team.