Anoeta set for New Year cracker as Atletico visit struggling Real Sociedad
Real Sociedad host third-placed Atletico Madrid in a crucial La Liga clash on January 4th, with the Basque side desperate to pull away from the relegation zone.
La Real desperate for points as Simeone’s men come to town in the first fixture of 2026.
Relegation fears mounting for La Real
San Sebastian is gearing up for a proper New Year’s test as Real Sociedad welcome Atletico Madrid to the Reale Arena on January 4th. The hosts find themselves in a right pickle, hovering just two measly points above the drop zone after a dismal run of form.
The Basque outfit have been proper pants recently, managing just one league victory since November 7th - a 3-1 away win at Osasuna. Their record makes for grim reading:
- 1 win
- 2 draws
- 3 defeats
That’s relegation form, no two ways about it. The txuri-urdin faithful will be hoping the turn of the calendar brings a change in fortunes.
Atletico’s away day blues
Diego Simeone’s men aren’t exactly pulling up trees on their travels either. Despite sitting third in the table and keeping pace with Barcelona and Real Madrid, they’ve lost two of their last three away fixtures in La Liga.
In fact, all of Atleti’s league defeats this season have come away from the Metropolitano - a stat that might give La Real some much-needed hope.
History favours the visitors
If you’re a betting man, your money might be safer with the Rojiblancos. Real Sociedad haven’t beaten Atletico at home in the top flight since September 2019, enduring a miserable run of:
- 3 defeats
- 2 draws
That’s nearly seven years without giving their fans a home victory against Simeone’s side. Talk about a bogey team!
Tickets still available
For anyone fancying a trip to northern Spain for this tasty fixture, there are still tickets up for grabs. One team desperate to climb away from danger, another determined to keep pace with Spain’s big two - it’s got all the makings of a proper barnstormer to kick off 2026.