Barcelona will be facing another obstacle on their route to La Liga glory when they travel to Real Sociedad in what has come to be known as one of the most difficult fixtures for them. Sociedad are considered to be their bogey side and the Nou Camp outfit have lost in each of their 3 visits to Anoeta Stadium.
Barcelona have been inconsistent this season and while the flair and sharpness associated with them have been visible in glimpses, it hasn’t helped them from preventing a 7-point gap which has subsequently opened between them and Real Madrid. Barcelona though, have the match against Sociedad in hand. With the El Clasico scheduled for next week, Messi and Co. can hardly afford to drop any points before that. A 0-0 draw against Malaga last week saw them slip further away from their nearest rival as far as points are concerned.
They will be facing a stronger and high on confidence Sociedad team who are performing at a very high level this season. Currently, in the 5th spot they will be backing themselves to cause another upset against the Blaugrana. But they will have to contend with Messi in red hot form and Luis Suarez who will look to make up for his missed match due to suspension.
TRIVIA
- Pello Artola, Francisco Javier Urruticoechea and Claudio Bravo are the three goalkeepers who have played for both clubs.
- Real Sociedad coach, Eusebio Sacristán, played for the Blaugrana for seven seasons (1988-1995). He won 11 trophies with Barça.
- Meho Kodro, with 5 goals, is the Real Sociedad who has scored the most goals against FC Barcelona at Anoeta.
- The two teams go into Sunday’s match with exactly the same number of goals conceded: 13.
TEAM NEWS
REAL SOCIEDAD
Coach Eusebio Sacristan will go into this match without Markel Bergara, Gaztañaga and Rubén Pardo, who are all injured.
BARCELONA
The positive news for the team is the return of captain Andrés Iniesta, who trained with the rest of the squad but is still not ready to return. Samuel Umtiti also continued his recuperation following the injury he picked up over the recent international break.
PREDICTED LINE-UPS
REAL SOCIEDAD
Rulli; Yuri, Inigo Martinez, Navas, Carlos Martinez; Zurutuza, Illarramendi, Prieto; Oyarzabal, Willian Jose, Vela.
BARCELONA
Ter Stegen; Alba, Mascherano, Pique, Sergi Roberto; Rafinha, Busquets, Rakitic; Neymar, Suarez, Messi.
BETTING ODDS
REAL SOCIEDAD- 6/1
DRAW- 15/4
BARCELONA- 4/9
