Barcelona vs Real Sociedad predictions, H2H and match preview for this Saturday’s game in La Liga. Read on for analysis and predicted line-ups as the Catalans aim to reclaim top spot.
by Mark Sochon – @marksoc1
Barcelona vs Real Sociedad Match Preview
Barcelona are bidding to bounce back from their Clasico disappointment with a potentially tricky home game against a Real Sociedad side that is enjoying a fine season. La Real secured their place in the Copa del Rey Final in midweek and they’d love to top that off by getting the better of the Catalans at Camp Nou.
Despite Barcelona’s problems, that is still far easier said than done. Barça have dropped just 2 home points all season in La Liga and they’ve collected 6 more points on their own patch than leaders Real Madrid have managed. It’s shaping up to be a really tense title race and this is one of the tougher remaining fixtures for Barcelona. They will need to play better than they did in the Second Half at the Bernabeu last weekend if they are going to win it.
Real Sociedad have already held Barça this season and they’ve also beaten both Madrid clubs with their victory at Real Madrid the key match in their run to the Copa del Rey Final. They are now favourites to end a 33 year major trophy drought with their date with Basque rivals Athletic in Seville to look forward to next month.
They are also right in the thick of the battle for Champions League qualification and three straight league wins has helped put them in with a real shout of playing in Europe’s premier club competition next season.
Imanol, who is perhaps deserving of a bit more credit for guiding this young Real Sociedad side through a wonderful campaign, opted to start Willian Jose over Alexander Isak at Mirandes on Wednesday night. He may rotate his strikers again here while Aihen Munoz and Andoni Gorosabel could feature in the full-back positions if the visiting boss opts for fresh legs.
Barcelona aren’t expected to change much from the side that lost the Clasico with Jordi Alba fit again having been rushed back to feature in that game.
Barcelona vs Real Sociedad Predictions
Score Prediction: 2-1 Barcelona
This will be a genuine test for Barcelona but they should be the fresher of the two sides after Real Sociedad’s cup exploits. You also have to wonder whether this might be the game that Imanol has pencilled in to rest a few players particularly given they travel to Eibar in just three days for a rearranged league game that is considerably more winnable. That should help Barcelona continue their impressive home form with another victory over a side they boast an extraordinary record against on this ground.
La Liga Betting Tips (18+)
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Barcelona vs Real Sociedad H2H
- Last 6 Competitive Meetings: 5 Barcelona Wins, 1 Draw.
- Barcelona have won their last 19 home matches against Real Sociedad.
- The sides drew 2-2 earlier this season in Donostia.
- Barca had won each of the previous 5 meetings.
Predicted Line Ups
Barcelona Team:
Ter Stegen – Alba, Umtiti, Pique, Semedo – De Jong, Busquets, Arthur – Vidal – Messi, Griezmann (4-3-1-2)
Real Sociedad Team:
Remiro – Munoz – Normand, Elustondo, Zaldua – Sangalli, Guevara, Odegaard – Oyarzabal, Isak, Portu (4-3-3)
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