La Liga table-toppers Barcelona will resume their league campaign with an away fixture against Real Sociedad on Sunday.
Real Sociedad will be looking to make it two consecutive wins in La Liga when they host high-flying Barcelona at the Reale Arena on Sunday. While the hosts will be hoping to climb up the table with a positive result, the Catalan giants will look to maintain their lead at the top.
The home team are 12th on the table with 21 points in their 19 outings. They are only four points off the drop zone, so they cannot really afford any more slip-ups. Meanwhile, they will have to put together a winning streak if they want to push for a top-six finish, as the sixth-placed Real Betis are eight points clear at this stage.
After a five-match winless run, Real Sociedad finally secured all three points in the league against Getafe last time out. Post that, they went past Osasuna in the round of 16 of the Copa del Rey. La Real have certainly gathered some momentum in recent weeks, but taking down Barcelona still won’t be an easy task.
The Blaugrana sit at the top of La Liga and have a four-point lead over second-placed Real Madrid. The Catalan outfit recently won the Spanish Super Cup, and they are heading into this fixture on the back of a 2-0 win over Racing Santander in the round of 16 of the Copa del Rey.
Having won their last 11 games across competitions, Barcelona will certainly be confident about making it 12 in a row against Real Sociedad. Since losing El Clasico at the Bernabeu in October, Hansi Flick’s men have won their nine league games, and they are clear favourites for this outing as well. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could deploy.
Team News & Tactics
Real Sociedad
The home team will be without the services of Inaki Ruperez (knee), Yangel Herrera (calf) and Orri Oskarsson (undisclosed) for this all-important fixture against Barcelona.
Real Sociedad will line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, where Alex Remiro will be in goal. Jon Aramburu and Sergio Gomez will feature as the full-backs, while Duje Caleta-Car will pair up with Jon Martin in the heart of the defence.
As for the midfield unit, Carlos Soler will form the double pivot with Benat Turrientes in the centre of the park. The duo will shield the backline and look to ensure the Barcelona midfielders do not dominate the ball too deep in their half.
Takefusa Kubo and Goncalo Guedes will feature on the flanks, providing much-needed width to their attacks. Brais Mendez will take up the number ten role, while Mikel Oyarzabal should lead the line for Real Sociedad against Barcelona on Sunday.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Remiro; Aramburu, Caleta-Car, Martin, Gomez; Soler, Turrientes; Kubo, Mendez, Guedes; Oyarzabal
Barcelona
The Catalan giants will remain without the services of Gavi (knee) and Andreas Christensen (knee). But apart from the duo, everyone else is expected to be available for selection. Winter signing Joao Cancelo will be in line for his second debut for Barcelona in this fixture.
Hansi Flick will recall all his regular starters after they were rested for the game against Racing Santander. The defending La Liga champions will line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, where Joan Garcia will feature in goal.
Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde will feature as the full-backs, while Pau Cubarsi will pair up with Eric Garcia in the heart of the defence. As for the midfield unit, Pedri and Frenkie De Jong will form the double pivot in the middle of the pitch. They will look to shield the backline and ensure they control the tempo of the game.
Lamine Yamal and Raphinha will feature on the flanks, providing width to their attacks. Fermin Lopez could take up the number ten role, with Ferran Torres likely to spearhead the Barcelona attack against Real Sociedad on Sunday.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Joan Garcia; Kounde, Cubarsi, Eric Garcia, Balde; Pedri, de Jong; Yamal, Fermin, Raphinha; Ferran Torres
Key Stats
- Barcelona have won their last 11 outings across competitions.
- Since losing to Real Madrid in La Liga back in October, the Catalan giants have won each of their last nine league games.
- After a run of three straight defeats, Real Sociedad have been unbeaten in their last three league games.
- Real Sociedad have lost four out of their last five league games against Barcelona.
- La Real have one of the worst home records in La Liga this season, having picked up just 11 points in their nine outings.
Player to Watch
Lamine Yamal
Barcelona do have a star-studded team, but Yamal certainly tends to stand out because of the incredible things he has done on the pitch at the age of just 18. The Spanish international has been in sensational form this season. He has been involved in 24 matches across competitions and has contributed towards 21 goals.
The teenage sensation had an impressive Super Cup campaign, and he even bagged a goal in their last outing against Racing Santander. Yamal will look to carry on in a similar fashion when he takes the field against Real Sociedad on Sunday.
Prediction
Real Sociedad 1-3 Barcelona
Barcelona will head into this fixture full of confidence, having been in relentless form across competitions. Hansi Flick’s men are expected to dominate possession and dictate the tempo, with their wide players looking to stretch a Real Sociedad defence that has struggled at home this season.
Given their winning momentum and superior quality in midfield and attack, the league leaders should be well-equipped to handle the challenge at the Reale Arena. Meanwhile, Real Sociedad have shown signs of recovery in recent weeks and will look to make things difficult with a compact setup and quick transitions, especially through Takefusa Kubo and Mikel Oyarzabal.
However, their poor home record and recent struggles against Barcelona could work against them. If the visitors maintain their intensity and take their chances, they should have enough to secure another important three points in the title race. The Hard Tackle predicts a 3-1 win for Flick and his charges.
