Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 19/20

Bookmaker: Luckster

With the 2026 Copa del Rey trophy up for grabs on Saturday night, Atletico Madrid and Real Sociedad will meet at the Estadio de La Cartuja.

Atletico Madrid

Starting with Atletico Madrid, while Diego Simeone’s men might have eventually fallen to a second-leg 2-1 loss at the hands of bitter domestic rivals Barcelona on Tuesday night, the Spanish heavyweights did drag themselves over the finishing line as they punched a first Champions League semi-final ticket in almost a decade. However, despite edging past Barcelona thanks to what was a famous 3-2 aggregate win, it has certainly been a rollercoaster month for Los Rojiblancos. Suffering real La Liga frustration last weekend as they fell to another 2-1 defeat against Spanish strugglers Sevilla, Atletico have remarkably lost five of their previous six appearances across all competitions. Despite their remarkable success on the continent, Simeone’s side are desperately searching for some defensive steel. In fact, the European semi-finalists have shipped at least a pair of goals in eight of their last 10 outings.

Atletico Madrid Team News

All still dealing with respective injury issues, Atletico Madrid are once again set to be without the trio of Pablo Barrios, Jose Maria Gimenez and former Feyenoord defender David Hancko here. However, serving a one-match European suspension on Tuesday night, Spanish youngster Marc Pubill will return to Simeone’s squad.

Finding the net against Barcelona in midweek and notching a second Champions League strike since arriving in the Spanish capital, January recruit Ademola Lookman could play a leading role in attack. Reportedly attracting a string of heavyweight interest ahead of the summer transfer window, ex-Manchester City star Julian Alvarez will spearhead Atletico’s attack.

Real Sociedad

As for Real Sociedad, punching their spot in Saturday’s final after coming past arch-rivals Athletic Bilbao following a 2-0 aggregate victory last month, Pellegrino Matarazzo’s side are now just 90 minutes away from getting their hands on a fourth Copa del Rey crown. However, despite finding themselves at the heart of a European scrap, the Basque-based outfit are seeking some recent stability. Suffering major last-gasp heartbreak on home soil last weekend as they were eventually forced to settle for a pulsating 3-3 stalemate against Alaves, Sociedad have registered consecutive La Liga victories on just a single occasion so far this calendar year. Falling to an action-packed 3-2 defeat when they travelled to the Spanish capital for a top-flight showdown against Atletico back on March 7th, Matarazzo’s men have also shown their own respective defensive struggles.

Real Sociedad Team News

Dealing with what has become a stacked injury list in the Basque Country, Real Sociedad will travel to Seville in Saturday night without the likes of Inaki Ruperez, Igor Zubeldia, Job Ochieng and former Girnoa midfielder Yangel Herrera. However, serving a one-match La Liga ban against Alaves last week, Jon Martin could be handed an immediate recall.

Left as an unused substitute last weekend and handed a deserved full rest, attacking talisman Mikel Oyarzabal will spearhead Sociedad’s charge in the final third. Making a permanent switch from PSG last summer, fellow Spanish international Carlos Soler will start in the middle of the park.

Atletico Madrid vs Real Sociedad Key Factors to Consider

• When Atletico Madrid and Real Sociedad met for a La Liga showdown on March 7th, Simeone’s side secured a thrilling 3-2 victory in the Spanish capital.
• Despite punching their Champions League semi-final ticket in midweek, Atletico have remarkably lost five of their previous six appearances across all competitions.
• Atletico have shipped at least a pair of goals in eight of their previous 10 matchups across all fronts.
• Real Sociedad’s last five domestic appearances have produced 21 goals at both ends of the pitch.
• Since completing a January switch from Atalanta, Nigerian international Ademola Lookman has registered 10 direct goal contributions (six goals, four assists).

Conclusion

Eventually dragging themselves over the finishing line in midweek as they punched their Champions League semi-final ticket thanks to a nail-biting 3-2 aggregate win against Barcelona, Atletico Madrid are on the cusp of a famous few days. However, remarkably losing five of their previous six appearances across all competitions, the Spanish heavyweights have also shown some alarming defensive issues. Shipping at least a pair of goals in eight of their last 10 showdowns across all competitions, neutrals will be hoping for a real Copa del Rey classic on Saturday night.

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 19/20

Bookmaker: Luckster