Spanish La Liga
2026-01-04 - Real Sociedad vs Atl Madrid
A Sports Betting Pick by Gladiator
Football: Spanish La Liga - Round 18
Reale Arena (San Sebastian), Spain
Sunday, 4th January 2026 - Kick Off 21:00 CET
Real Sociedad
Real Sociedad enter the new year in worrying shape, having endured a miserable end to 2025. Three straight league defeats were followed by a late collapse against bottom-placed Levante, where they conceded a 94th-minute penalty to settle for a 1-1 draw. That run has dragged La Real dangerously close to the relegation zone, sitting just two points above it, and recent back-to-back home losses have only deepened concerns around the Reale Arena.
There is, however, a small historical positive to cling to. Sociedad have avoided defeat in their first La Liga fixture of the calendar year since 2020, often showing renewed energy after the winter break. Still, suspensions and injury issues limit their options, and confidence appears fragile, especially against elite opposition.
Atl Madrid
Atletico Madrid arrive in San Sebastian with momentum firmly on their side after closing out 2025 with four consecutive wins in all competitions. While Diego Simeone’s men remain some distance behind Barcelona and Real Madrid in the title race, they’ve at least stabilised their campaign and will see this fixture as a strong opportunity to collect more points.
Away form has been Atletico’s main weakness this season, but they’ve been reliable when facing teams in the bottom half of the table, remaining unbeaten in such matchups. Their physical edge, tactical discipline, and ability to control games without trailing at half-time make them well-suited to exploiting Sociedad’s current struggles.
The Betting Verdict
Real Sociedad’s slump, combined with key absences and a lack of confidence, makes this a difficult start to 2026 for the hosts. Atletico may not always sparkle on the road, but their consistency, superior squad depth, and strong record against lower-ranked sides give them a clear edge here. If Simeone’s men impose their structure early, they should have enough quality to grind out a narrow but important away victory.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Real Sociedad 1-2 Atl Madrid
