Real Sociedad vs Barcelona
Spain – LaLiga
Date: Saturday, 14 December 2019
Kick-off at 15:00 UK/ 16:00 CET
Venue: Reale Seguros Stadium (San Sebastian).
It is always one of the fans supplies Barcelona look with some trepidation. Even in the season when Real Sociedad has been poor, they have often managed to raise their game for the Catalans visit but the gentleman Ernesto Valverde now has won on each of their last three trips to Anoeta has gone a decade without a win in San Sebastian before it.
though it is as powerful as La Real side that has existed for some time. Real Madrid loanee Martin Ødegaard is their greatest weapon, and he will be hungry to do both his current team and parent support here to slice open this somewhat unconvincing Barca back line. Sociedad new form has been a bit mixed though with their last six games yielded two wins, two draws and two defeats.
Barcelona, and especially their coach, still has a bit of criticism they are not part of their own fans. But they have won 13 of their last 15 in all competitions, losing just once and they remain very much the team to beat in La Liga. They will be desperate to pick up the win here should ensure they head into next week's Clasico Real Madrid are also facing a tough match this weekend.
Sublime shape of Leo Messi is clearly a major factor in Barcelona's ability to put that kind of run together. Argentina was the top scorer of La Liga despite having only appeared in ten games and quite ridiculously he has scored seven goals this season from outside the box.
Responsibility to try to stop Messi may lie with a combination of left-back Nacho Monreal and holding midfielder Ander Guevara clearly would be a daunting task for the 22 year old. La Real will back themselves to cause problems at the other end though with their front three Portu, Willian Jose and Mikel Oyarzabal having netted a combined 16 goals this season in La Liga.
The fact the game
Barcelona have won their last 7 games against Real Sociedad in all competitions.
There are more than 2.5 goals in 7 of the last 8 matches Barcelona (LaLiga).
Barcelona have scored at least two goals in eight of their last 10 games (LaLiga).
There are more than 2.5 goals in 5 of the last 6 home matches Real Sociedad (LaLiga).
Real Sociedad has seen more than 2.5 goals in 5 of their last 6 games against Barcelona in all competitions.
Barcelona have scored at least 2 goals in 5 of their last 6 games against Real Sociedad in all competitions.
Prediction
Real Sociedad respond well to bad results against Levante and Leganes at home with a 4-1 defeat Eibar recently.
Alguacil's men secured their fourth clean sheet of the season last time, but will face a stern test this weekend.
Barcelona will be fresh for the weekend after resting several first team face in midweek, including Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets and Gerard Pique.
Prediction: Real Sociedad 2 3 Barcelona
