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Real Sociedad v Barcelona: Line-ups, stats and preview

Barcelona face a tricky away test in LaLiga.

Written by Nicholas McGee
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Real Sociedad v Barcelona: Line-ups, stats and preview

Match Preview

Barcelona will hope to produce a more convincing away performance on Sunday when they return to LaLiga action against Real Sociedad.

The Blaugrana were victorious on their travels last time out in the league, beating neighbours Espanyol 2-0.

However, only a string of saves from ex-Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia prevented his former club from taking the lead, before late goals from Dani Olmo and Robert Lewandowksi sealed a derby win.

Hansi Flick’s followed up that success with wins over Athletic Bilbao and Real Madrid that clinched Supercopa de Espana glory, and they were then made to work hard to beat Segunda leaders Racing Santander 2-0 in the Copa del Rey.

Barcelona celebrate winning the Supercopa de Espana

Barca will be just a point ahead of Madrid in the LaLiga title race should Los Blancos see off Levante on Saturday.

And they will know they can ill-afford an off-colour performance against a Sociedad side unbeaten in their last five in all competitions, with new coach Pellegrino Matarazzo overseeing three of those games following his appointment on December 20.

Matarazzo led Sociedad to a draw with Atletico Madrid and a win over Getafe in LaLiga before success on penalties in the Copa del Rey against Osasuna.

That run of form has ensured that Barca will face a Sociedad team in high spirits.

Matarazzo told his pre-match press conference: “The latest results allow the boys to play with more confidence. It will be important to reconnect with the spirit of the city and the stadium, which is very important to us.

“We already know the quality of Barcelona, and if we want to win we need to perform our best in all phases of the game.

“All we have to do is be connected and play with very good quality.”

Team News for Real Sociedad v Barcelona

Gavi and Andreas Christensen remain on the sidelines for Barcelona owing to knee injuries.

The hosts will be without Inaki Ruperez on Sunday through injury, while Yangel Herrera and Orri Oskarsson are also set to miss out.

Predicted line-ups for Real Sociedad v Barcelona

Real Sociedad: Remiro; Aramburu, Caleta-Car, Martin, Gomez; Soler, Turrientes; Kubo, Mendez, Guedes; Oyarzabal.

Barcelona: J.Garcia; Koundé, Cubarsi, E.Garcia, Baldé; De Jong, Pedri; Yamal, Lopez, Raphinha; Torres.

Stats for Real Sociedad v Barcelona

  • Barcelona have suffered a defeat to Sociedad in two of the last three seasons.
  • Three of the last four games between these sides at the Anoeta have been decided by a 1-0 scoreline.
  • Sociedad have already lost four home games this season.
  • Both of Barcelona’s defeats in the league have come on their travels, the Blaugrana beaten by Real Madrid and Sevilla.

Prediction

Real Sociedad

1 – 2

Barcelona

The Anoeta can be a very tricky place to go, but Barcelona should have enough to negotiate the challenge and avoid a setback in the title race.

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