Barcelona will attempt to post a fifth straight victory in La Liga when they resume their domestic campaign with a clash against Real Sociedad at Anoeta Stadium on Sunday night.
Hansi Flick's side have been the standout team in Spain's top flight this term, currently sitting nine points clear of second-placed Real Madrid at the top of the La Liga table, while Real Sociedad are in 11th, with the Basque outfit underwhelming so far in 2024-25.
Match preview
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Real Sociedad will enter this match off the back of a 2-1 defeat to Viktoria Plzen in the Europa League, with the result leaving them down in 25th spot in the table, picking up four points from their first four matches.
The Basque outfit have also found it difficult to show their best form in La Liga this term, boasting a record of four wins, three draws and five defeats from 12 matches, which has left them in 11th spot in the division on 15 points.
Imanol Alguacil's side are six points off fourth-placed Villarreal and only four ahead of Leganes in 15th, so a lot could change in a short space of time, but their overall performance level this season has below what was expected.
Real Sociedad have been relatively solid in La Liga this term, conceding just 10 times, which is the joint-third best defensive record in the division, but they have only scored 10 times, which is among the worst attacking records in Spain's top flight.
The White and Blues also incredibly have the worst home record in La Liga this season, picking up just four points from six matches, and they will be welcoming a Barcelona side with the strongest away record in the division.
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Barcelona have incredibly not lost to Real Sociedad at Anoeta Stadium in La Liga since April 2016, while they have been victorious in 10 of the last 11 matches between the two teams in all competitions.
The Catalan outfit will enter this match off the back of a seven-game winning run, including a 5-2 success over Red Star Belgrade in the Champions League on Wednesday night, with the result leaving them sixth in the overall table.
Barcelona beat Espanyol 3-1 in the Catalan derby last weekend, meanwhile, and they are currently nine points clear of second-placed Real Madrid at the top of the table, albeit having played a game more than the capital giants.
Flick's team have won 11 and lost one of their 12 league matches this season, scoring 40 times in the process, with so many of their players enjoying outstanding campaigns.
Robert Lewandowski has scored 19 goals and registered two assists in 16 appearances this season, while Raphinha has 12 goals and 10 assists in his 16 outings in all competitions; Lamine Yamal has also again starred for the Catalan side, managing six goals and eight assists in his opening 16 matches of the campaign.
Team News
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Real Sociedad have a number of first-team players currently on the sidelines, with Nayef Aguerd, Ander Barrenetxea, Benat Turrientes, Pablo Marin, Hamari Traore and Arsen Zakharyan unavailable for selection.
Head coach Alguacil will make changes from the side that took to the field for the first whistle against Viktoria Plzen in the Europa League, with Brais Mendez and Aritz Elustondo potentially coming into the XI.
Mikel Oyarzabal is likely to operate through the middle for the home side, while there will be a spot in the centre of midfield for Martin Zubimendi, who remains on the radar of a number of major European clubs.
As for Barcelona, Gavi's fitness is still being carefully managed due to his lengthy absence with a knee problem, so the midfielder is again expected to receive minutes off the bench here.
Head coach Flick will make changes to the side that took to the field for the first whistle against Red Star Belgrade in the Champions League, with Alejandro Balde set for a return at left-back, while Dani Olmo will also be in the XI.
Frenkie de Jong started in the European fixture and should retain his spot in the middle of midfield, while Pau Cubarsi is expected to feature despite suffering a nasty cut to his face last time out.
Providing that Cubarsi is available, Barcelona's absentees for this weekend's La Liga match will be Eric Garcia, Ronald Araujo, Ferran Torres, Andreas Christensen, Marc Bernal and Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
Real Sociedad possible starting lineup:
Remiro; Aramburu, Zubeldia, Elustondo, J Lopez; Mendez, Zubimendi, Sucic; Kubo, Oyarzabal, Gomez
Barcelona possible starting lineup:
Pena; Kounde, Cubarsi, I Martinez, Balde; De Jong, Pedri; Yamal, Olmo, Raphinha; Lewandowski
We say: Real Sociedad 1-3 Barcelona
Real Sociedad's form this season has been disappointing, and we just cannot see them picking up a positive result here. Barcelona are absolutely flying and have so much quality in the final third of the field, so we are fully expecting Flick's team to put another three points on the board ahead of the November international break.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Matt Law
