Real Sociedad will welcome Barcelona to Anoeta for a La Liga one-on-one clash on Saturday, with kickoff slated for 20:00 GMT.
Key Highlights
Real Sociedad’s Mixed Form in La Liga
Sociedad were held to a 2-2 draw at Rayo Vallecano last weekend. The draw was their fourth this season, more than the 2 matches they have lost.
Consistency for Real Sociedad will be key for their ability to challenge for a top four in La Liga.
A win over Barcelona on Saturday will be the right step toward bolstering their confidence and surging up the table from their current 5th place.
Barcelona’s Response to the Classico Defeat
Barcelona’s 1-2 home loss in El Classico last weekend was significant for both teams. While Real Madrid managed to win without dominating the game, Barcelona will rue their missed chances and the inability to make it count when they were on top.
The loss also meant that La Blaugrana are no longer unbeaten in La Liga, and they have dropped to 4th on the table.
Xavi Hernandez will look to pick up the pieces and motivate his charges as they travel to Real Sociedad on Saturday.
A win will help Barcelona bounce back immediately, while a loss might do more harm to their confidence.
Bet hereInjury Report
Real Sociedad
Imanol Alguacil will be without Martin Merquelanz. The 28-year-old left winger is sidelined with a knee injury. The forward suffered the injury on September 11, and no return data has been released by the club.
Imanol Alguicil will be happy with the fitness aspect of the club,. Which affords him access to the full complement of the squad ahead of hosting Barcelona on Saturday.
Barcelona
Barcelona will be without right-back Sergi Roberto. The 310-year-old fullback is nursing a muscle injury that has kept him out of contention for the last three matches for Barcelona.
Xavi Hernandez will also be unable to call on midfielder Frenkie de Jong, who is recovering from an ankle sprain. The 26-year-old Dutchman has been out since September 24th, which has seen him miss seven outings for Barcelona.
Barcelona are also facing doubts about the fitness and availability of central midfielder Gavi, who is dealing with a hamstring injury. The 20-year-old has been sidelined for the last 12 matches for Barcelona after he was injured on August 24th.
Possible Lineups
Real Sociedad
Alex Remiro; A. Munoz, J. Pacheco, I. Zubeldia, H. Traore; M. Zubimendi; A. Barrentxea, B. Turrientes, B. Mendez, T. Kubo; M. Oyarzabala
Barcelona
M. ter Stegen; R. Araujo, A. Christiansen, I. Martinez; J. Cancelo, Gavi, i. Gundogan, A. Balde; F. Lopez; F. Torres, J. Felix
Prediction
Imanol Alguacil will look to ensure his side maintain their identity and style when they play Barcelona on Saturday. They will play with a medium press, ceding space to Barcelona in their half.
This will ensure that they will eliminate spaces between them, ensure that they are solid and robust through the spine, and force Barcelona into wide areas. This approach will also allow Real Sociedad to win the ball back in their back and launch quick attacks on the counter.
Barcelona will look to dominate and dictate play from the middle of the pack. Controlling the middle will give them dominance of the ball and a territorial edge that will help them create better-quality chances in the final third.
Xavi will also set his side up to counter-press when they lose the ball. This will be essential in preventing speedy counter-attacks during transitions. While preventing attacks, counter-pressing will also enable Barcelona to win the ball back in dangerous areas.
Barcelona will win away from home and bounce back to winning ways in La Liga.
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