Verdict: Barcelona win
Best Odds: 2/3
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
Turning their attention back to La Liga action on Sunday night, Barcelona will travel to the Basque Country when they meet Real Sociedad.
Real Sociedad
Starting with the hosts, while Real Sociedad might have a real battle on their hands in the race to book a lucrative European return this season, Pellegrino Matazarro’s men have shown some real signs of life on either side of opening the New Year. Extending on their Copa del Rey adventure earlier in the week as they edged past Osasuna following a nail-biting penalty shootout victory, the former Hoffenheim boss has not seen his squad suffer a single defeat from any of their previous five appearances across all competitions. However, facing what is a monumental challenge this weekend, Sociedad should be concerned by a nightmare record against the reigning La Liga champions. Hit with a 2-1 loss when they travelled to Catalonia for their reverse top-flight showdown on September 28th, Sunday’s hosts have lost four of their previous five meetings against Barcelona.
Real Sociedad Team News
Making just a pair of La Liga appearances since completing a summer switch from Girona, Real Sociedad will once again be without Venezuelan international Yangel Herrera through a calf issue. Likewise, academy graduate Inaki Ruperez remains on the sidelines with a long-term knee injury.
Completing a permanent switch from reigning European champions PSG ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, Carlos Soler will start in the middle of the park. Despite failing to find the net since returning from November’s international break, Spanish international Mikel Oyarzabal will lead the line.
Barcelona
As for the visitors, crowned Super Cup champions over in Saudi Arabia last weekend as they clinched an action-packed 3-2 victory against arch-rivals Real Madrid, Barcelona have their sights firmly set on completing another iconic domestic silverware sweep in 2026. Once again firing on all cylinders, Hansi Flick’s men have rightfully received a fearsome reputation from across the continent. Opening this weekend’s fixtures holding a four-point buffer over the chasing pack, the former Bayern Munich boss will simply be calling on his high-flying squad to lay down another domestic marker here. In fact, extending on their respective Copa del Rey charge earlier in the week as they secured a 2-0 win away at a plucky Real Santander, Sunday’s guests have won all of their previous 10 consecutive appearances across all competitions. The reigning Spanish champions have also not suffered a single La Liga defeat since the end of October.
Barcelona Team News
Missing out on Copa del Rey duties earlier in the week after serving a one-match suspension, Dutch midfielder Frenkie de Jong will return to Flick’s travelling squad. However, Spanish International Gavi remains on the sidelines with a long-term knee injury and will not play any part on Sunday night.
Completing a return to Catalonia last week, former Manchester City ace Joao Cancelo should make his second La Liga debut here. Likewise, settling for a spot on the bench in midweek and only making a cameo second-half appearance, Brazilian superstar Raphinha will be handed a full recall.
Real Sociedad vs Barcelona Key Factors to Consider
- When Real Sociedad and Barcelona met for their reverse La Liga showdown on September 28th, the reigning Spanish champions claimed a 2-1 victory in Catalonia.
- Flick’s men have won four of their previous meetings against La Real across all competitions.
- Sociedad have failed to record a clean sheet from any of their last 14 straight matchups against La Liga opposition.
- Barcelona have won all of their previous 10 consecutive appearances across all competitions.
- Including their Super Cup success last weekend, Barca have recorded a clean sheet in five of their previous six domestic appearances outside of Catalonia.
Conclusion
Firing on all cylinders this season and with their sights firmly set on defending their La Liga crown this season, Barcelona will be looking to extend their buffer over arch-rivals Real Madrid on Sunday night. Crowned Super Cup champions over in the Middle East last weekend, Flick’s high-flying squad will be confident of making another domestic statement here. Winning all of their previous 10 consecutive appearances across all competitions, they will also be excited by a stellar record against Sunday’s hosts. Including a 2-1 victory when they welcomed Sociedad to Catalonia on September 28th, they have won four of their last five meetings.
Verdict: Barcelona win
Best Odds: 2/3
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
- Soccer News Like
- Be the first of your friends!
