Barcelona vs Real Sociedad – La Liga – Preview

Posted on November 27, 2015 by Sreya

La Liga table toppers FC Barcelona will take on Real Sociedad at El Camp Nou on Sunday, hoping to preserve their lead at the top of the table. Barcelona are in a rampaging mood, winning 4-0 against Real Madrid and then scoring six goals past AS Roma in their midweek UEFA Champions League tie.

The Real Sociedad side sit on fourteenth position in the league table with just two wins in their last six matches, having conceded 10 goals in their four losses.

Team News

Rafinha and Douglas are the long term injury concerns for Luis Enrique’s side, while Javier Mascherano and Sergi Roberto have both been suffering from minor injury problems.

David Zurutuza and Jonathas are unavailable through injuries for Real Sociedad. Asier Illaramendi will serve a one match suspension due to accumulation of yellow cards. Raul Navas and Olier are yet to regain match fitness and have been classified as doubtful.

Barcelona Possible Starting Lineup: Claudio Bravo, Dani Alves, Jeremy Mathieu, Gerard Pique, Jordi Alba, Andres Iniesta, Sergio Busquets, Ivan Rakitic, Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Neymar.

Real Sociedad Possible Starting Lineup: Geronimo Rulli, Aritz Elustondo, Mikel Gonzalez, Inigo Martinez, Yuri, Markel Bergara, Ruben Pardo, Carlos Vela, Xabi Prieto, Sergio Canales, Imanol Agirretxe.

Thoughts From Both Camps

The feeling that I have is that we’re enjoying ourselves out there on the field. We’re enjoying working on a daily basis, and that’s the most important thing. The end of the season is a long way away. We’re very happy but we know there will be games where perhaps we need to do a little bit more.

– Ivan Rakitic, FC Barcelona.

“It’s a different way of working under the new coach. With Eusebio, the goalkeeper now acts as an extra outfield player and our moves are created from defence – you could see elements of that the other day.

We cannot come to many conclusions just yet as we’ve only been working on these things for two weeks. The ideas are quite clear, we have to move the ball about quicker and when we lose possession, we have to press to win it back.”

– Yuri Berchiche, Real Sociedad.

Contributor’s Pick

According to Head-2-Head statistics, Real Sociedad have won two of their last six encounters with Barcelona and drawn once. However, as the visiting side, they have a dismal record at Camp Nou, not even managing to draw since the 1994/95 season.

On current form, Barcelona are likely to win with 3-0 scoreline.