Sociedad can earn stalemate against Atletico in tight clash

La Liga
6.30pm Thursday

With their hopes of chasing down Barcelona for the league title all but gone, Atletico Madrid may be frustrated further when they make the trip north to take on a rejuvenated Real Sociedad.

The Red & Whites will remain motivated to finish ahead of neighbours Real, but Sociedad have looked a much better side since last month’s appointment of Imanol Alguacil as head coach until the end of the season.

Alguacil has been a member of the coaching setup since 2011, rising through the ranks with the youth team, the B side, and now the first team. His knowledge of the club is second to none and his promotion has paid early dividends, with a draw and two wins, including a 5-0 thumping of Girona.

Atletico will be Alguacil’s first proper test but the Madrid side are vulnerable. Despite boasting the best defence in La Liga, Diego Simeone’s men have taken just one point from their last three away games, and will have one eye on their crunch Europa League semi-final first leg with Arsenal next week.

While handing Atletico what would be just their fourth defeat of the season is likely to be too tough a task, the Basque team can cause the visitors problems so expect a tight encounter.

Recommendation
Draw
1pt 23-10 bet365, Betfair, 188Bet

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