Barcelona vs Real Sociedad Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Defending champions Barcelona had to fight hard in midweek as the Blaugrana now welcome a struggling Real Sociedad side back to Barcelona’s Olympic Stadium.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN have the exclusive rights to La Liga games in the USA, so Barcelona vs Real Sociedad may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
How to watch online: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN+
Barcelona preview: Relentless Blaugrana
Barcelona come into this one on the back of overturning a one goal deficit in Asturias against newly-promoted Real Oviedo. The Blaugrana were 1-0 down at half-time before second-half strikes from Eric Garcia, Robert Lewandowski and Ronald Araujo.
The Catalans have collected 16 points from their opening six La Liga matches so far this season, whilst also winning their opening game in the UEFA Champions League, with Hansi Flick’s side also continuing to play their excellent style of football.
Real Sociedad preview: The real La Real must stand up
Real Sociedad’s squad looks very underwhelming in comparison to what it has been in the past and the departure of long-term manager Imanol Alguacil to Al Shabab seemed a reasonable decision, but it has not gone well for La Real this season.
Former B team coach Sergio Francisco has now replaced Imanol but La Real have now managed just one win in their opening six matches so far this season, with that coming at home by a goal to nil against Real Mallorca in the Basque Country in midweek.
Barcelona team news: Lamine Yamal could return
Ahead of the visit of La Real this weekend, key man Lamine Yamal could return to the match day squad for Barcelona. They do remain without Alex Balde and Fermin Lopez, though.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Joan Garcia; Eric Garcia, Ronald Araujo, Pau Cubarsi, Gerard Martin; Marc Casado, Pedri; Raphinha, Dani Olmo, Rashford; Ferran Torres
Unavailable: Ter Stegen (Injured), Kochen (International duty), Andres Cuenca (International duty), Alex Balde (Injured), Fermin Lopez (Injured), Gavi (Injured)
Questionable: Lamine Yamal (Injured)
Real Sociedad team news: No Jon Martin
Key centre-back Jon Martin has left Real Sociedad’s squad this weekend as he has linked up with Spain for the FIFA U20 World Cup. Both Yangel Herrera and Orri Oskarsson are sidelined through injury.
Predicted XI (3-4-3): Alex Remiro; Jon Aramburu, Igor Zubeldia, Caleta-Car, Sergio Gomez; Brais Mendez, Julen Gorrotxategi, Carlos Soler; Kubo, Mikel Oyarzabal, Ander Barrenetxea
Unavailable: Jon Martin (International duty), Yangel Herrera (Injured)
Questionable: Aritz Elustondo (Injured), Oskarsson (Injured)
Barcelona vs Real Sociedad prediction
Their performance level may not have been what it was last season just yet in the opening few weeks of this campaign, but Barcelona are still racking up the goals and the victories. They face a Real Sociedad side that lack a fair bit of quality nowadays and also have very limited tactical identity, with a win against Mallorca hardly enough respite for the coach. Barca will be expected to win easily, even if they are being moved back to Estadi Olympic Lluis Companys once again and away from Estadi Johan Cruyff due to the continued delays over reconstruction of Camp Nou.
Barcelona vs Real Sociedad tip: Barcelona to win -1 handicap
