Barcelona v Real Sociedad – Line-ups, stats and preview
Barcelona take on Real Sociedad on Sunday at the LaLiga.
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Match Preview for Barcelona v Real Sociedad
Barcelona have the chance to leapfrog rivals Real Madrid at the summit of La Liga with a victory over struggling Real Sociedad on Sunday.
Los Blancos were thumped 5-2 by city rivals Atletico on Saturday as their perfect start to the Spanish top-flight season came to an emphatic end.
Meanwhile, the Catalan giants have themselves enjoyed a strong start to the campaign, having picked up six wins and one draw from seven matches in all competitions.
Hansi Flick’s side were given a bit of a scare last time out, as they were trailed newly promoted Real Oviedo at the break before Eric Garcia, Robert Lewandowski and Ronald Araujo secured all three points.
With European champions Paris Saint-Germain in wait for Barca in the Champions League on Wednesday, Flick and co. will be looking for a strong showing at home this weekend.
For Sociedad, it has been a rather underwhelming start to the new season. Sergio Francisco’s side have just five points from six matches, leaving them in 16th.
However, they will be buoyed by a much-needed win in midweek, beating Mallorca 1-0 with Mikel Oyarzabal betting the only goal of the contest.
Team news for Barcelona v Real Sociedad
Barcelona could welcome Lamine Yamal and Alejandro Balde back into their squad on Sunday, with the pair likely to be given some game time ahead of PSG next week.
However, Flick will be without Raphinha, who has been ruled out for three weeks with a thigh injury. Joan Garcia will also miss the match, having been sidelined for four to six weeks with a knee injury, and will join Fermin Lopez, Gavi and Marc-Andre ter Stegen on the absentee list.
Wojciech Szczesny, Jules Kounde, Frenkie de Jong, Marc Casado and Robert Lewandowski could all start the game having been on the bench against Real Oviedo.
As for Sociedad, Francisco could well name the same XI that started against Mallorca, with Carlos Soler Sergio Gomez particularly impressing.
However, the visitors will be without Yangel Herrera and Orri Oskarsson through unjury, while Aritz Elustondo could also be a doubt.
Expected line-ups for Barcelona v Real Sociedad
Barcelona: Szczesny; Kounde, E Garcia, Araujo, Martin; De Jong, Casado; F Torres, Olmo, Rashford; Lewandowski
Real Sociedad: Remiro; Aramburu, Zubeldia, Caleta-Car, Gomez; Kubo, Mendez, Gorrotxategi, Soler, Barrenetxea; Oyarzabal
How to watch Barcelona v Real Sociedad: TV channel, online stream
Fans in the United Kingdom can watch Barcelona v Real Sociedad live on Premier Sports, with streaming also available through the Premier Player app.
Kick-off at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys is scheduled for 5:30pm BST.
The stats for Barcelona v Real Sociedad
- Barcelona have won three of the last five league meetings between the two sides. Sociedad’s last victory came in November 2024.
- Barcelona have won 25 of their last 26 home matches against Real Sociedad in all competitions. Sociedad’s last away victory against Barcelona came in 2023, where they ran out 2-1 winners.
- Barcelona have scored at least 3 goals in 6 of their last 7 LaLiga matches.
- Only four sides in LaLiga have scored fewer goals than Sociedad so far this term.
Prediction
Sociedad will be eager to build on that victory over Mallorca with a positive result here. Barcelona, meanwhile, may have one eye on PSG but should enough quality to see off the challenge of the visitors.
Prediction: Barcelona 2-1 Real Sociedad