Kick Off Time: 19:00
Team News
Barcelona
- Gerardo Martino has left Cesc Fabregas out of the squad in order to rest him, but recalled Sergio Busquets, who was rested for the 4-0 win at Rayo Vallecano.
- Although Barca won the match at Vallecas comfortably in the end, it was the first time in five years that the Catalans had less possession than their opponents.
- Dani Alves was left out of the starting line-up against Rayo in favour of Martin Montoya, but is likely to return to the side against Real Sociedad, who were one of only two teams to beat Barca last season.
Real Sociedad
- Real Sociedad's 0-0 draw at home to Malaga marked their fourth league game in a row without a win.
- Coach Jagoba Arrasate has insisted his team will not sit back and defend against Barca, and will try and contest the ball.
- Griezmann and Seferovic came off the bench against Malaga but are likely to be on from the start.
Match Facts
| Barcelona have been winning at both half time and full time in 29 of their last 35 home matches in La Liga. | Barcelona win/win 1.53 |
| There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 33 of Barcelona's last 38 games in La Liga. | Over 2.5 goals 1.25 |
| Barcelona have won their last 17 home matches in La Liga. | Barcelona win 1.14 |
| Barcelona have won their last 11 home matches against Real Sociedad in all competitions. | Barcelona win 1.14 |
| Barcelona have scored at least 2 goals in 18 of their last 19 home matches in La Liga. | Over 1.5 goals 1.07 |
| Real Sociedad are undefeated in 23 of their last 25 matches in La Liga. | Real Sociedad win or draw 6.50 |
| Barcelona have seen over 2.5 goals in their last 6 matches against Real Sociedad in all competitions. | Over 2.5 goals 1.25 |
| Barcelona have been winning at both half time and full time in their last 3 home matches against Real Sociedad in all competitions. | Barcelona win/win 1.53 |
| There have been under 2.5 goals scored in 5 of Real Sociedad's last 6 games in La Liga. | Under 2.5 goals 4.40 |
| Barcelona have scored at least 2 goals in their last 4 matches against Real Sociedad in all competitions. | Over 1.5 goals 1.07 |
| * Best odds for selected bets are shown |
Prediction
- Real Sociedad are on paper the toughest team Barca will have met so far this season, given they finished fourth last season, but the Basques have made a sluggish start.
- Barca's last home game, in which they only beat Sevilla thanks to a goal by Alexis scored after the allocated stoppage time was up, should serve as a warning that teams are no longer scared of them. They suffered against Sevilla from crosses, an area Real Sociedad are not known for causing great damage from.
- Expect this game to be won and lost in the middle of the park, an area in which the visitors have lost strength since Illarramendi left.
- Despite criticism from some parts of the media for the way they have played under Martino, Barca are still vastly superior to the majority of the teams in the league, including Champions League participants La Real, and are ruthless at the Camp Nou, where they took 55 of 57 possible points last season. Expect the Catalans to triumph, although they will have to work for the victory.
Barcelona
Real Sociedad
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