Preview: Real Sociedad vs. Atletico Madrid - prediction, team news, lineups

Diego Simeone's side are currently third, one point ahead of fourth-placed Sevilla, while Real Sociedad sit sixth, two points behind fifth-placed Real Betis, although the Basque outfit have already secured a spot in the group stage of the 2022-23 Europa League.

Match preview

Real Sociedad will be determined to finish as high as possible this season, and a victory over Atletico on Sunday could be enough to move above Real Betis to claim fifth, depending on how the Green and Whites get on against Real Madrid on Friday.

The Basque outfit have already made sure of a top-six spot, though, and a position in the group stage of next season's Europa League, ahead of their home game with Atletico.

Real Sociedad will enter this weekend's match off the back of successive victories over Cadiz and Villarreal, which has moved them onto 62 points from their 37 matches, boasting a record of 17 wins, 11 draws and nine defeats.

Imanol Alguacil's side have largely impressed in front of their own supporters this season, picking up 35 points from 18 matches, and they will be taking on an Atletico side that have lost seven times on their travels this term, which should hand them confidence ahead of the contest.

The White and Blues will be bidding to make it back-to-back fifth-place finishes in Spain's top flight, but they will be in the Europa League for a second successive campaign regardless of what happens this weekend.

Atletico, meanwhile, have been unable to defend the title that they won last season, with Real Madrid proving to be far too strong for the rest of the competition during the 2021-22 campaign.

Simeone's side are five points behind second-placed Barcelona, so third is the highest that they can finish, but the capital giants are just one point clear of fourth-placed Sevilla, who will host Athletic Bilbao on Sunday.

Atletico have not finished outside of the top three in Spain's top flight since 2012, when they were fifth, so fourth would be disappointment for the Red and Whites this term, but securing a spot in next season's Champions League was always going to be the priority this season.

The capital giants will enter this match off the back of a 1-1 draw with Sevilla last weekend; Jose Gimenez sent Atletico ahead in the 30th minute, but Youssef En-Nesyri levelled for Julen Lopetegui's side late on.

Simeone's side have picked up seven points from their last three matches, and they will be bidding to record their 21st league victory of the season this weekend, but as mentioned, the 2020-21 league champions have been inconsistent on their travels, winning eight, drawing three and losing seven of their 18 away games.

Real Sociedad La Liga form:

Atletico Madrid La Liga form:

Team News

Real Sociedad will again be missing Mikel Oyarzabal, Nacho Monreal, Carlos Fernandez and Ander Barrenetxea through injury this weekend.

Joseba Zaldua is also a doubt, having been withdrawn at the break against Villarreal last time out, which could open the door for Andoni Gorosabel to come into the side at right-back.

The home side could otherwise be unchanged, though, with David Silva again expected to play as the number 10 behind a front two of Alexander Sorloth and Alexander Isak.

As for Atletico, Renan Lodi and Sime Vrsaljko are both out of the contest through injury, while Joao Felix and Thomas Lemar remain doubts for the visitors.

There could be a change in the final third of the field following the draw with Sevilla, with Angel Correa potentially coming in as a replacement for Luis Suarez, who is leaving the club at the end of June.

Rodrigo De Paul should retain his spot in the middle of midfield, though, while Marcos Llorente and Yannick Carrasco are set to feature in the wing-back positions for the visitors.

Real Sociedad possible starting lineup:

Remiro; Gorosabel, Zubeldia, Le Normand, Rico; Merino, Zubimendi, Illarramendi; D Silva; Isak, Sorloth

Atletico Madrid possible starting lineup:

Oblak; Savic, Gimenez, Reinildo; Llorente, De Paul, Kondogbia, Koke, Carrasco; Correa, Griezmann

We say: Real Sociedad 1-1 Atletico Madrid

A draw would not be enough for Real Sociedad to finish fifth, although it might be taken out of their hands ahead of this match. The hosts will be determined to end on a win regardless of whether it means they finish ahead of Real Betis, but Atletico, who might need to triumph to secure third, should be good enough for a point on the final weekend.

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