Real Sociedad look to steady their season this evening at Anoeta, hosting Atletico Madrid in a La Liga fixture kicking off at 21:00 local time (19:00 GMT), with the Basque side sitting ninth on 7 points from five games.
Mixed form heading into the Anoeta clash
Sociedad arrive on the back of a 2-3 win away at Elche on 7 September, having also drawn 0-0 with Celta Vigo and beaten Espanyol 2-1, though those results followed back-to-back defeats, 1-4 at Real Madrid and 0-1 at Real Betis. According to LaLiga's official data, the club have scored 6 goals and conceded 8 this season, a difference of -2, leaving them five points behind leaders Barcelona.
Atletico without Sorloth
Atletico Madrid have endured a rough month, losing 0-3 at Athletic Club and 1-2 at Liverpool in their last two away trips, having beaten Sevilla 3-1 before that. Striker Alexander Sorloth is out with a muscle injury, expected back on 30 September, and Atletico's last lineup at Anfield used a back three of Pubill, Romero and Hancko behind Julian Alvarez and Giovanni Simeone up front.
Sociedad missing Odriozola
At home, Alvaro Odriozola remains sidelined with a torn knee ligament, with a return date pencilled in for 30 November, leaving the club light at right back; the full list of absentees is available on the injuries page. The XI that won at Elche, built around Aramburu, Zubeldia, Sarr and Gomez in defence with Ochieng, Herrera, Soler and Guedes in midfield, could largely stay in place.
What comes after the international break
The full picture, with Sociedad ninth and five points off the pace, can be checked on the league standings. Whatever happens against Atletico, the Basque club then travel to Mestalla to face Valencia, who sit 20th, on 20 September, a trip already listed on the fixtures page.
