Atletico's form at the Calderon will have to improve, if they are to realise President Enrique Cerezo's dream, of a Champions league spot. Having collected 15 of their 28 points on the road.
Massively ambitious, Cerezo is building a side capable of challenging the big two.
January is a huge month for them, with 3 of their 4 fixtures at home and a real chance to cement their position in the top 4 of La Liga.
They could not have chosen a better opponent to meet, after the brief "winter break" . Gimnastic have lost 7 in a row away from home, conceding at least two in every start.
I have found some interesting stats, Atletico have a habit of conceding early goals, a third of which have been allowed in the opening 15 minutes. They tend to get stronger as the match progresses, 50% of all their goals coming in the final 30 minutes.
Ginmastic have conceded exactly a third of all their goals in the opening 15 minutes of the second half. How does this help us ? I hear you ask, a very good question.
If betting in running, should they go in level at the break, I would be confident about the home side coming good in the second half, or turning around an early deficit, something they have already done on several occasions this season. The ht/ft, or double result, of draw/home is available at 4.90 on Betfair, which looks very fair.
But all things considered, I feel they should win this comfortably and will take them on the asian handicap.
I can pass on a good word for Sociedad, who are desperate for the points and are facing La Liga's most inform side, Osasuna, who are looking for win number 6 in a row, 8 if we count cup results.They will be without 6 squad members tonight.
It is very early in the season, but Basque clubs will normally help each other where possible, I will say no more than that.
Sociedad have a very difficult run of fixtures after this and have targeted these as 3 "must win" points, recent performances have improved greatly and this week's preparations could not have gone better.
The squad has been improved by three transfer window signings this week, none of whom will be available today, but everyone will know that competition for places, has just got much tougher.
4 points Atletico Madrid -1 goal 1.75 asian line.
2 points Real Sociedad -1/2 ball 2.64 Betfair.
Good Luck.
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