Real Sociedad vs Barcelona: Line-ups, stats and preview

Match Preview

Barcelona will hope to produce a more convincing away performance on Sunday when they return to League action against Real Sociedad.

The Blaugrana were victorious on their last league trip, beating neighbors Espanyol 2-0.

However, only a series of saves from former Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia prevented his former club taking the lead, before late goals from Dani Olmo and Robert Lewandowksi sealed a derby victory.

Hansi Flick followed that success with wins over Athletic Bilbao and Real Madrid that clinched Spanish Super Cup glory, and they then had to work hard to beat Segunda leaders Racing Santander 2-0 in Copa del Rey.

Barca will move just one point ahead of Madrid in the La Liga title race if Los Blancos face Levante on Saturday.

And they will know they cannot afford a disappointing performance against a Sociedad side unbeaten in their last five games in all competitions, with new coach Pellegrino Matarazzo overseeing three of those games following his appointment on December 20.

Matarazzo led Sociedad to a draw with Atletico Madrid and a win over Getafe in La Liga before winning on penalties in the Copa del Rey against Osasuna.

This form allowed Barça to face a Sociedad team in good spirits.

Matarazzo said in his pre-match press conference: “The latest results allow the boys to play with more confidence. It will be important to reconnect with the spirit of the city and the stadium, which is very important for us.

“We already know the quality of Barcelona, ​​and if we want to win we have to do our best in all phases of the match.

“All we have to do is connect and play with really good quality.”

Team news for Real Sociedad vs Barcelona

Gavi and Andreas Christensen remain sidelined for Barcelona with knee injuries.

The hosts will be without Inaki Ruperez on Sunday due to injury, while Yangel Herrera and Orri Oskarsson are also expected to miss.

Predicted line-ups for Real Sociedad vs Barcelona

Real Sociedad: Remiro; Aramburu, Caleta-Car, Martin, Gomez; Soler, Turrientes; Kubo, Méndez, Guedes; Oyarzabal.

Barcelona: J.Garcia; Koundé, Cubarsi, E.Garcia, Baldé; De Jong, Pedri; Yamal, Lopez, Raphinha; Torres.

Statistics for Real Sociedad vs. Barcelona

• Barcelona have suffered defeat against Sociedad in two of the last three seasons.
• Three of the last four matches between these teams at Anoeta ended 1-0.
• Sociedad have already lost four home games this season.
• Barcelona's two league defeats came on the road, with the Blaugrana beaten by Real Madrid and Sevilla.