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Barcelona logo
La Liga | Gameweek 19
Dec 16, 2020 at 8pm UK
Camp Nou
Real Sociedad logo

Barcelona
2 - 1
Real Sociedad

Alba (31'), de Jong (43')
Busquets (41'), Trincao (88'), Koeman (89'), Alena (90+3')
FT(HT: 2-1)
Jose (27')
Januzaj (20'), Barrenetxea (58'), Le Normand (80')

How Barcelona could line up against Real Sociedad

Sports Mole looks at how Barcelona could line up for their La Liga clash with Real Sociedad on Wednesday evening.

Barcelona will be looking to secure their fourth home win on the bounce in La Liga when they welcome Real Sociedad to Camp Nou for a fascinating affair on Wednesday evening.

Despite being put to the sword by Juventus on their own turf in the Champions League, Ronald Koeman's side returned to winning ways with a 1-0 triumph over Levante on Sunday, with none other than Lionel Messi scoring the decisive goal.

Barca are now facing the league leaders as Sociedad remain at the top of the pile despite only managing to draw with Eibar, and nine points separate the two rivals in the table heading into Wednesday's game.

Here, Sports Mole looks at how Barcelona could line up for the visit of Sociedad.



POSS BAR XI vs. SOC

Out: Ousmane Dembele (hamstring), Ansu Fati (knee), Gerard Pique (knee), Sergi Roberto (thigh)
Doubtful: None

> Click here for Barcelona's latest injury and suspension news ahead of this match

As well as the three long-term absentees in Sergi Roberto, Ansu Fati and Gerard Pique, the Barcelona medical room welcomed a familiar face as Ousmane Dembele sustained a hamstring injury before the Levante clash.

However, Koeman has no fresh concerns from the weekend's victory, although Samuel Umtiti has now returned to the fold and is pushing for a starting place in the defence.

The Frenchman is unlikely to force his way in over Ronald Araujo or compatriot Clement Lenglet, though, with Sergino Dest and Jordi Alba keeping their places out wide as the back four remains the same.

Koeman would normally be tempted into midfield rotation with only a couple of days rest, but Sociedad pose an extremely difficult test for the Blaugrana and the midfield two of Frenkie de Jong and Sergio Busquets is likely to remain the same.

Miralem Pjanic will most likely be forced to watch from the bench once again, while Riqui Puig was reportedly branded a "leak" by Koeman after information regarding a possible summer transfer became public.

Further up the pitch, 18-year-old Pedri impressed in his 30-minute cameo against Levante, and Koeman could very well put his trust in the Spanish protege from the first whistle in this game.

Should Pedri start in the number 10 role, Philippe Coutinho is likely to be shifted out to the left flank in place of Martin Braithwaite, who will probably be the unfortunate one to drop out.

Barcelona's talisman Messi - who notched up the only goal in this fixture last season - will be aiming to strike for the 17th time against Sociedad as he spearheads the Blaugrana attack on Wednesday.

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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona18122450203038
2Atletico MadridAtletico17115131112038
3Real Madrid17114237162137
4Athletic Bilbao1896327161133
5Villarreal177642928127
6Mallorca188371821-327
7Real Sociedad177461611525
8Osasuna176742225-325
9Real BetisBetis176652021-124
10GironaGirona176472325-222
11Sevilla176471823-522
12Rayo Vallecano175661920-121
13Celta Vigo176382528-321
14Las PalmasLas Palmas175482227-519
15Leganes174671523-818
16Getafe173771114-316
17AlavesAlaves174491928-916
18Espanyol1743101629-1315
19Real ValladolidValladolid1733111234-2212
20Valencia162591424-1011


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