Real Sociedad vs Barcelona predictions, H2H and match preview for this Saturday’s game in La Liga. Read on for analysis and predicted line-ups as Ernesto Valverde’s men visit what was until recently a bogey ground for them.
Real Sociedad vs Barcelona Preview
This is always one of the fixtures that Barcelona fans look to with some trepidation. Even in seasons when Real Sociedad have been poor, they’ve often managed to raise their game for the visit of the Catalans but Ernesto Valverde’s men have now won on each of their last 3 trips to Anoeta having gone a decade without victory in San Sebastian prior to that.
This though is as strong a La Real side as there has been for some time. Real Madrid loanee Martin Ødegaard is their biggest weapon and he’ll be hungry to do both his current and parent teams a favour here by slicing open this somewhat unconvincing Barça backline. Sociedad’s recent form has been a bit mixed though with their last six games resulting in two wins, two draws and two defeats.
Barcelona and particularly their coach, still have their critics not least from sections of their own fans. However they have won 13 of their last 15 in all competitions, losing only once and they remain very much the team to beat in La Liga. They’ll be desperate to pick up the win here which should ensure they head into this week’s Clasico ahead of Real Madrid who also face a tricky game this weekend.
The sublime form of Leo Messi is obviously a huge factor in Barcelona’s ability to put that kind of run together. The Argentine is La Liga’s top scorer despite having only appeared in ten games and quite ridiculously he has already scored seven league goals this season from outside the penalty area.
The responsibility of trying to stop Messi may lie with a combination of left-back Nacho Monreal and holding midfielder Ander Guevara which will clearly be a daunting task for the 22 year old. La Real will back themselves to cause problems at the other end though with their front three of Portu, Willian Jose and Mikel Oyarzabal having netted a combined 16 goals this season in La Liga.
Real Sociedad vs Barcelona Predictions
Score Prediction: 2-2 Draw
Not since their 3-0 win at lowly Eibar in mid October have Barcelona put in a truly convincing away performance and that has to be a worry for them heading into a tough game like this. Real Sociedad have enough quality to bag a couple of goals but they may be denied the victory by the brilliance of Messi.
Real Sociedad vs Barcelona Betting Tips (18+)
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Real Sociedad vs Barcelona H2H
- Last 6 competitive meetings: 6 Barcelona Wins
- Barcelona have won their last 7 against La Real in all competitions including on their last 3 trips to Anoeta.
- Prior to that they really struggled in San Sebastian, losing on 4 straight league visits between 2013 and 2016.
- 5 of the last 6 meetings have seen both teams score.
Predicted Line Ups
Real Sociedad Team:
Remiro – Monreal, Llorente, Zubeldia, Zaldua – Merino, Guevara, Odegaard – Portu, Willian Jose, Oyarzabal (4-3-3)
Barcelona Team:
Ter Stegen – Firpo, Lenglet, Pique, Roberto – Rakitic, Busquets, De Jong – Griezmann, Suarez, Messi (4-3-3)
We have match previews for every game in La Liga this season.
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