Atletico Madrid vs Real Sociedad predictions: Expect goals at the Metropolitano
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- Atletico's title bid is effectively over
- Sociedad are in the hunt for a European finish
- Recommended bet: Over 2.5 goals
Atletico Madrid will be hoping to keep their slim LaLiga title hopes alive when they welcome European hopefuls Real Sociedad to the Metropolitano Stadium on Saturday.
Diego Simeone's side find themselves 12 points behind table-toppers Barcelona with just four games remaining, so even a perfect finish to the campaign is unlikely to be enough for Rojiblancos to lift the trophy.
As for Sociedad, they are down in 1tth position but just one point behind eighth-placed Rayo Vallecano and a further two points in arrears of Celta Vigo in seventh.
Team news
Atletico will be without Julian Alvarez due to suspension, while fellow forward Rodrigo Riquelme is an injury doubt.
Sociedad are missing striker Orri Oskarsson, who is expected to miss the rest of the campaign because of a hamstring issue.
There are also doubts over the defensive duo of Igor Zubeldia and Alvaro Odriozola.
The stats
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Atletico have won just one of their last three matches, a run of results that has left their LaLiga title hopes in near tatters.
Atleti have won their last two home games, both going over 2.5 goals, while there have been three or more strikes in their previous three top-flight assignments at the Metropolitano.
Sociedad are on a four-match run without a win, drawing two and losing two. They have also failed to score in three of those contests.
La Real have been in better scoring form on their travels, having netted in five of their last six away fixtures in all competitions.
Prediction
A defeat to Las Palmas and a draw against Alaves in two of Atletico's last three outings means the club's title aspirations are almost over and thoughts have already most likely turned to the Club World Cup, which begins in June.
Simeone's side are almost mathematically assured of a top-five finish, which would secure Champions League football, but the Argentine tactician will not let his side cruise to the end of the campaign and he will want to build some momentum ahead of the Club World Cup.
Sociedad are fighting hard for a European finish themselves and while the goals have dried up of late, hitting the road may help them rediscover their scoring touch.
Over 2.5 goals has landed in 10 of La Real's last 11 away matches in all competitions, while there have been three or more strikes in the last four meetings against Atletico at the Metropolitano.
Add in the fact that three of Atletico's last five assignments have produced over 2.5 goals and Saturday's contest looks set to be an enthralling affair.
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