Atletico Madrid vs Real Sociedad predictions: Atleti primed for Copa del Rey glory
Joe Champion
Atletico Madrid are chasing an 11th success in the Copa del Rey and a first since 2012-13
Real Sociedad are three-time Copa del Rey winners, last claiming the trophy in 2019-20
Recommended bet: Atletico Madrid to win & both teams to score
All eyes in Spain will be on Seville on Saturday night as La Cartuja stages the Copa del Rey final between Atletico Madrid and Real Sociedad.
Atletico, fresh off Tuesday's dramatic 3-2 aggregate triumph over Barcelona in the Champions League, also defeated the Catalan giants 4-3 on aggregate in the semi-finals of this competition, and are favourites in their bid to win a second Copa of the Diego Simeone era.
Sociedad, meanwhile, came through a two-legged Basque derby against Athletic Bilbao to make it to Seville, making a first major final for their American head coach Pellegrino Matarazzo, who only took charge at the Anoeta in December.
The latest Atletico Madrid vs Real Sociedad odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Team news
Goalkeeper Jan Oblak could return to the Atletico squad but Juan Musso, who has deputised in the absence of the Slovenian in recent weeks, has started all five Copa del Rey matches this season and is likely to remain in between the posts.
Centre-backs David Hancko and Marc Pubill could also return from injury and midfielder Pablo Barrios is fit, but the game is likely to come too soon for Jose Maria Gimenez.
As for Sociedad, Inaki Ruperez, Alvaro Odriozola and Igor Zubeldia have been ruled out but Euro 2024 final match-winner Mikel Oyarzabal, forward Goncalo Guedes and midfielder Jon Gorrotxategi are expected to make the matchday squad.
The stats
Atletico are unbeaten in nine meetings with Sociedad, winning six of them.
Seven of those nine meetings featured goals at both ends.
Both teams have also scored in seven of Atletico's last nine matches.
Sociedad's last five matches have averaged 4.2 goals per game.
Atletico's Antoine Griezmann has five goals in five Copa del Rey appearances this season.
The latest Atletico Madrid vs Real Sociedad odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Prediction
Atletico have been involved in some thrilling contests of late and Saturday's Copa del Rey final clash with Sociedad is unlikely to prove any different.
Once renowned for their defensive robustness under Simeone, Atletico are no longer that team, as illustrated by a series of high-scoring wins in knockout competitions.
Los Rojiblancos beat Club Brugge 7-4 on aggregate in the Champions League play-off round, then saw off Tottenham 7-5 on aggregate in the round of 16, while goal-laden two-legged wins came against Barcelona both in the Copa del Rey and on the European stage.
Sociedad will be eager to do themselves justice on a huge stage, but the difference in experience between the two head coaches, Simeone and Pellegrino, is vast, and that could ultimately tilt the final in favour of the Madrid outfit.
Atleti are 15 points better off than Sociedad in LaLiga this season and won 3-2 when the teams met last month, winning the shot count 24-7 and outperforming Sociedad 2.31-0.41 on expected goals.
Simeone's men look worthy favourites, but given they have been far from watertight at the back this term, the value could be to back them to prevail in a thriller.
Back Atletico Madrid to win & both teams to score at 13/5 with LiveScore Bet
The latest Atletico Madrid vs Real Sociedad odds are available on LiveScore Bet
