Barcelona vs Real Sociedad Prediction - La Liga Fixtures
The La Liga league leaders return to the pitch on Sunday afternoon and our expert Nathan Joyes has provided his Barcelona vs Rayo Vallecano Best Bet, team news, lineups and fixtures preview.
Barcelona edged past Las Palmas last weekend – where Nathan landed a 3.0 winner – extending their winning run to five matches in a row. Although top of the table, Hansi Flick’s side are only ahead on goal difference, with Real and Atletico Madrid breathing down their necks.
Real Sociedad head into this fixture in good form themselves, having won four of their last five across all competitions. However, on their travels it has been a different story, with four losses from their last five.
They controversially beat Barcelona 1-0 earlier in the campaign – where Robert Lewandowski’s goal was wrongly ruled out – and the hosts will want redemption. Nathan Joyes talks us through his best bet.
Barcelona vs Real Sociedad Prediction: Hosts to rectify reverse fixture
Spain, La Liga, Monday, March 2nd, 15:15 (UK)
Both Barcelona and Real Sociedad head into this match in good form. The hosts have won their last five matches, while their guests have won four of theirs. Goals certainly haven’t been an issue for either side, and on paper, it could look as though Real Sociedad are ready to hold their own.
Not so fast. That’s because their away form has been dire. Having lost four of their last five – only beating Midtjylland in the Europa League – Real Sociedad have conceded 10 goals within those matches. Both Lazio and Real Betis put three past them, games that discipline was lacking and the visitors finished with 10 and 9 men respectively.
Real Sociedad were behind at half-time in three of those four defeats, showing little to no defensive structure when on their travels. A trip to Barcelona is far from ideal, who have picked up 24 points from 11 home matches.
And although they squeezed past Alaves and Rayo Vallecano (1-0 victories) in their last two home matches, it wasn’t long ago they put seven past Valencia and five against Betis.
But at the forefront of the player’s minds will be their controversial 1-0 defeat in the reverse fixture. Robert Lewandowski scored in the first half to put his team ahead, only for VAR to rule out his goal for offside – although post match, it was clear the officials were looking at the wrong boot and the goal should have stood.
Barcelona will have the bit between their teeth and will want to take full advantage of Real Sociedad’s inability to defend on the road.
Both teams are in action midweek in the Copa del Rey semi-finals, but Barcelona play 24 hours before – and at home – so there’s less travelling and extra rest heading into this La Liga clash.
Real Sociedad fans will be concerned about their lack of discipline at the moment – and another red card could see Barcelona produce a big scoreline. But the league leaders don’t need to rely on that in order to win, and Robert Lewandowski will be hoping a goal – or two – on the weekend won’t be interrupted by VAR.
With Atletico and Real Madrid facing tough matches this weekend, this match presents an excellent opportunity to extend their lead at the top of the tree, and they can do so comfortably.
- Barcelona vs Real Sociedad Prediction: Barcelona HT/FT
- Best Odds: 1.83
- Bookmaker: bet365
- Stake: 7/10
Barcelona vs Real Sociedad Prediction odds via bet365 as at 12:00, February 10th, 2025. Odds may now differ.
Barcelona vs Real Sociedad Injuries, Team News and Possible Lineups
Both teams have Copa del Rey semi-final games to contend with first, and it will be important to see if anyone picks up a knock before the weekend.
At present, Barcelona have no fresh injury concerns to worry about. Raphinha and Lewandowski continue to run the show, but they did need to rely on Dani Olmo and Ferran Torres to find the back of the net against Las Palmas last weekend.
Real Sociedad welcomes back Igor Zubeldia and Sheraldo Becker to their matchday squad after they were both sent off in the 3-0 loss against Real Betis.
Their main threat is likely to come from Takefusa Kubo. The Japanese winger has five goals to his name this season, having recently scored in the 3-0 win over Leganes.
Barcelona possible starting lineup:
Pena; Balde, Cubarsi, Araujo, Kounde, Pedri, Casado, Raphinha, Gavi, Yamal, Lewandowski
Real Sociedad possible starting lineup:
Remiro; Lopez, Aguerd, Elustondo, Aramburu, Zubimendi, Gomez, Marin, Zakharyan, Kubo, Oskarsson
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