Real Sociedad vs Atletico Madrid: Match prediction, betting tips and more | LaLiga 2019/2020

Following their defeat in the Basque derby to Athletic Bilbao, Real Sociedad will be seeking to compensate their fans with a victory over Atletico Madrid when they host them at the Anoeta on matchday 4.

The visitors are the early trailblazers in the LaLiga, having posted three wins from three matches to sit on top of the standings, but needed to come back from a two-goal deficit to defeat Eibar at the Wanda Metropolitano before the international break.

Real Sociedad, on the other hand, have picked up just one win and a draw so far and are placed 13th on the standings. However, their clash against Atletico Madrid will be their first home game of the season and represents an excellent opportunity to pick up all three points.

How will the sides line up?

Diego Simeone has featured a direct 4-4-2 in Atletico's three LaLiga fixtures till date, with Joao Felix partnering Alvaro Morata upfront for the first two fixtures and Diego Costa stepping in the latter's stead for the game against Eibar after his injury.

Imanol Alguacil on the other hand has deployed a more fluid 4-3-3 system with Willan Jose leading the line and flanked on either side by Martin Odegaard and Adnan Januzaj.

Verdict

Under Diego Simeone, Atletico Madrid have gained a reputation of being the most defensively astute team who give very little away and are adept in the art of protecting a lead.

This fact is buttressed by the point that Atletico Madrid's 1-0 victory over Leganes on matchday 2 was the 57th game they have won by this scoreline in LaLiga, while they have achieved the feat on 78 occasions in all competitions since El Cholo stepped onto the dugout in 2012.

Furthermore, they have managed to keep a clean sheet in 158 of the 291 LaLiga matches played under their Argentine manager at an astonishing ratio of 54.2%, and Diego Simeone would expect a much improved defensive showing after letting in two goals against Eibar last time out.

Real Sociedad are not exactly known for their potency in front of goal, as they have scored just two goals so far this term, while they managed just 45 last season; hence it is extremely difficult seeing them breach a resolute Atletico backline.

Atletico Madrid's recent record against Real Sociedad is also pretty impressive, as they have won six and lost just two of their last eight fixtures (keeping a clean sheet in five of those), while their overall record of 16 wins and two draws from 24 meetings signifies that another victory could be in their sights.

Good value can be found in backing goals not to be scored at both ends and this selection would have paid out in seven of their last eight meetings, although Atletico Madrid's juicy offer of evens on a win makes an away victory while keeping a clean sheet an alluring option.

Prediction: Real Sociedad 0-2 Atletico Madrid