La Liga: After Real and Barca, Sociedad Aim for Triple Scalp

Atletico Madrid vs Real Sociedad

Well, La Liga threw up some surprise results in midweek as sides battling relegation shocked the high-fliers to give themselves a survival boost.

One of those results may well come too late for Espanyol but they deserve enormous credit from fighting back from 3-0 down to draw at home to Atletico Madrid.

It must have caused huge frustration for Colchoneros manager Diego Simeone whose side led after goals from Saul Niguez, Yannick Carrasco and Antoine Griezmann put them firmly in the ascendancy.

They also possibly had fortune on their side with Espanyol enraged that Atletico’s second goal, scored by Griezmann, was allowed to stand. The goal was given, with VAR unable to determine whether the ball was definitely over the line.

It still wasn’t enough for maximum points though and, afterwards, Atletico captain Koke Resurreccion admitted they had not been focused in the second half.

Furthermore, a late winner for Real Madrid in their match against Rayo Vallecano – Brazilian Rodrygo scoring in the 89^th minute – meant they were overtaken in second spot by their city rivals.

It is amid that backdrop of that frustration that they welcome Real Sociedad to the Metropolitano Stadium this weekend.

Talking Points

Now while Atletico are already assured of qualifying for the Champions League next season, they will want to finish on a high in their final home match of the campaign – and, who knows, perhaps Simeone’s swansong.

In addition, fourth placed Sociedad, fresh from a first victory at newly crowned champions Barcelona in 32 years, still need two more points to be sure of joining them at Europe’s top table next season.

That scenario means this game should be far from an end-of-season encounter as both teams have something to play for, particularly the Basque club.

Earlier this week, their boss Imanol Alguacil made it very clear that finishing fourth – behind Barcelona, Real and Atletico – would be akin to being La Liga champions, given the differing scale of resources (certainly compared to the Barca-Real duopoly).

He is also under no illusion over the size of what is on offer, especially as the Basque club has not finished inside the top four since 2013, followed by their last Champions League campaign.

They have suffered a blow with the news that veteran David Silva will miss the final two games of the season.

The silky Spaniard came off with a knee injury in their 1-0 victory over Almeria on Tuesday and it has since been announced he has a muscle tear.

Even at the age of 37, his influence has been clear and it would seem harsh were he to now miss out on another season at Europe’s top table.

Sociedad, who have beaten Barcelona and Real Madrid in recent weeks, are set for a busy summer with plenty of incomings and one departure already confirmed as captain Asier Illarramendi set is to bring his second spell to an end at the conclusion of the season.

If he can now lift his team to some more La Liga highlights on Sunday, the men from San Sebastien will have achieved their aim.

History

Last season, this fixture ended 2-2 when goals early in each half from Alexander Sorloth and Alexander Isak put the visitors in the ascendancy before a Luis Suarez double rescued a point for the then defending champions.

Then, last January, Sorloth was on target again, along with Adnan Januzaj, as Sociedad sent Atletico packing from the Copa del Rey at the last 16 stage.

Atletico gained some revenge on the final day of the season when Rodrigo De Paul and Angel Coorea scored the goals in a 2-1 win.

Earlier this term, the sides played out a 1-1 draw with Alvaro Morata’s opener cancelled out by an Umar Sadiq header.

Sociedad have failed to win any of their last six league meetings – the most recent coming in September 2019 when Martin Odegaard and Nacho Monreal netted twice in four minutes to earn the home side a 2-0 win in San Sebastien.

Overall, Atletico have 73 successes compared to 45 Sociedad wins and 31 draws.

Betting Tip

Atletico will be cursing the fact they have ceded the initiative for second spot back to their city rivals.

They are favourites for this game with the SBOTOP La Liga betting odds, priced 1X2 @ 2.07 and Asian Handicap -050 @ 2.08, compared to Sociedad 1X2 @ 3.15 and Asian Handicap +0.50 @ 1.82.

Goals may be hard to come by given odds of Over 2.75 @ 2.04 and 2-3 @ 1.96 – although Total Goal 0-1 @ 3.75 caught my eye.

A repeat of the 2-2 draw from this contest last season will pay out @ 12.50 with Correct Score.

I can see this ending level-pegging which is why my *** prediction is a 1X2 Draw @ 3.35.

 

●●●

CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS

Stay updated with everything sports and betting.

Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.