Overview
Real Sociedad is going through a difficult season. After 17 La Liga rounds, the Basque team has only won 17 points, ranked 16th and only 2 points ahead of the relegation group.
Sociedad has only had 4 wins since the beginning of the season, and has not yet known the taste of victory in the highest league in Spain since the 3-1 victory over Osasuna on November 22.
Before the winter break, they appointed Pellegrino Matarazzo as head coach. The 48-year-old strategist, who used to coach Stuttgart and Hoffenheim, is preparing to make his debut on the coaching bench of Sociedad.
In statistics, Sociedad has a home record this season of 3 wins, 1 draw and 4 losses after 8 matches in La Liga. In the opposite direction, Atletico played unstable away from home, only winning 3 out of 9 away matches.
Notably, Sociedad has been unable to defeat Atletico Madrid in La Liga since September 2019. The most recent confrontation between the two teams in May 2025 closed with a 4-0 victory in favor of the red and white team.
Atletico entered the winter break after a 3-0 victory over Girona, and also had a 4-match winning streak in all competitions. However, Diego Simeone's team lost 2 La Liga matches in December, making it difficult for them to keep up with Barcelona.
After 18 matches, Atletico has 11 wins, 4 draws and 3 defeats, winning 37 points to rank third. They are 5 points behind Real Madrid (second) and 9 points behind Barcelona (leading)
After this match, Atletico will shift their focus to the Spanish Super Cup, where they will face Real Madrid in the semi-finals, before they can meet Barcelona or Athletic Bilbao in the final.
This month, Atletico will also complete the Champions League group stage campaign. Simeone's team is currently ranked eighth overall, with 12 points after 6 matches.
Personnel situation
New coach Pellegrino Matarazzo will not be able to use Inaki Ruperez and Yangel Herrera due to injury, while Jon Gorrotxategi and Igor Zubeldia are absent due to suspension.
Ander Barrenetxea still has to wait for the late fitness test, but Mikel Oyarzabal has overcome the muscle problem that caused him to miss the pre-winter break period. The Sociedad captain has played in the most recent match against Levante, and is having a relatively impressive season with 5 goals and 3 assists after 14 appearances in La Liga.
On Atletico Madrid's side, Clement Lenglet continues to be sidelined due to injury, while Nico Gonzalez needs to be assessed for fitness. However, in general, the away team is in positive form.
If Nico Gonzalez does not make it in time, Alex Baena may be given a starting spot in midfield after recovering from a hamstring injury. Jose Gimenez is also likely to return to the registered squad and sit on the bench after recovering from a thigh injury.
In attack, Julian Alvarez and Alexander Sorloth are predicted to lead, while Robin Le Normand may return to the starting lineup.
Expected lineup:
Real Sociedad: Remiro, Aramburu, Caleta-Car, Martin, Munoz, Soler, Marin, Kubo, Mendez, Oyarzabal, Guedes.
Atletico Madrid: Oblak, Llorente, Le Normand, Pubill, Hancko, Simeone, Koke, Barrios, Baena, Sorloth, Alvarez.
The match between Real Sociedad and Atletico Madrid takes place at 3:00 AM on January 5th (Vietnam time).
