Four days after they sealed top spot in Group C with a 2-0 win over Celtic in Champions League, Barclona travel to Anoeta stadium in San Sebastian to take on Real Sociedad. The game is the thirteenth LaLiga fixture of the season and victory is essential following the draw with Málaga. Anoeta is a stadium that has proven to be difficult and in the last four seasons Barça have lost on all four visits.
This is an important game for Barcelona, as failure to win it would almost certainly see them go into next weekend’s clasico at the very least 6 points behind Real Madrid. There are still question-marks about their form though. They were left frustrated by 9 man Malaga last weekend, having to settle for a 0-0 draw. They’ve conceded 7 goals in their last 3 league away matches alone and they just don’t seem to be on top of their game right now.
Here are the schedule and viewing details:
Real Sociedad vs Barcelona
Spanish La Liga
Date: Sunday, 27th November, 2016.
Kick-Off: 19:45 UK
Venue: Estadio Anoeta, San Sebastian.
Leo Messi spoke about the current situation of FC Barcelona at a sponsored event on Thursday. The Argentine says he is “at the best team in the world” that “does not depend on any single player” before also mentioning the importance of winning at Anoeta on Sunday.
“Getting a result at Anoeta will require a great effort from the team due to their form and because we have found it difficult there over the years.” Messi also added that “Barcelona need to win due to the last result” which was a goalless draw against Málaga.
Following the topsy-turvydom of their opening games, featuring a medley of meritorious victories and more lugubrious performances, Real Sociedad have hit their stride and look unstoppable of late. They have strung together four wins on the trot in LaLiga Santander, something only Real Madrid have matched.
One would have to go all the way back to the 2002/03 season to find such a sizzling start by the Basque side. Currently, only Real Madrid (nine) and Barcelona (eight) can boast having won more matches than Real Sociedad in LaLiga Santander, with Sevilla also having won seven.
Eusebio Sacristan has already managed to equal his best run with Real Sociedad, which he produced last season when they won all of their games between Matchdays 22 and 25. If they can overcome Barcelona on Sunday at Anoeta, they will match the feat achieved by Jagoba Arrasate in 2014, when La Real managed five successive victories.
Match Facts
Meho Kodro, with 5 goals, is the Real Sociedad who has scored the most goals against FC Barcelona at Anoeta.
Since returning to the top flight, the two teams have met in San Sebastián six times, with a balance of five victories for Real Sociedad and one draw.
Real Sociedad coach, Eusebio Sacristán, played for the blaugranas for seven seasons (1988-1995). He won 11 trophies with Barça.
The very first game between Real Sociedad and FC Barcelona was played in San Sebastián on 24 February 1929. The Txuri-urdin won 3-0 with goals coming from Kiriki, Bienzobas and Cholín.
Pello Artola, Francisco Javier Urruticoechea and Claudio Bravo are the three goalkeepers who have played for both clubs.
Two of the four Copa del Rey finals between both teams went to a third game after ending in a draw (1913 and 1928).
Current Spain coach Julen Lopetegui, started out in the youth academy at Zubieta (he later played for Sanse) and played three seasons at FC Barcelona (1994-97).
The two teams go into Sunday’s match with exactly the same number of goals conceded: 13.
Sunday’s game will be a first for referee for the game, Jesús Gil Manzano who has never overseen a Real Sociedad – Barça.
In Real Sociedad’s annual ceremonies – Barça in 1985-86 and 1992-93, Diego Álvarez and Agustín Gajate were awarded the Txuri-urdin club’s gold and diamond Insignia.
Team News
Real Sociedad
Coach Eusebio Sacristan will go into this match without Markel Bergara, Gaztañaga and Rubén Pardo, who are all injured.
Barcelona
The positive news for the team is the return of captain Andrés Iniesta, who trained with the rest of the squad but is still not ready to return. Samuel Umtiti also continued his recuperation following the injury he picked up over the recent international break.
Real Sociedad vs Barcelona: Head-to-Head Statistics
The Anoeta is a proven stronghold of the Royals that Barcelona have found it hard to break through in the past few seasons. Barcelona haven’t defeated Real Sociedad in an away match in all competitions since 2007. The record which stretches across 7 matches have seen Sociedad winning 5 along with 2 draws.
However, both side each tasted victory in their 2 legged games last season. Real Sociedad savaged a 1-0 win at the Anoeta stadium, while Barcelona cruised over the royal in same fixture that took place at the Nou camp.
In addition, Barcelona has 5 wins in the last 10 encounter that took place between these sides, while Real Sociedad has 4.
Predicted line-ups
Real Sociedad: Rulli; Yuri, Inigo Martinez, Navas, Carlos Martinez; Zurutuza, Illarramendi, Prieto; Oyarzabal, Willian Jose, Vela.
Barcelona: Ter Stegen; Alba, Mascherano, Pique, Sergi Roberto; Rafinha, Busquets, Rakitic; Neymar, Suarez, Messi.
Real Sociedad vs Barcelona: Prediction
Real Sociedad is in incredible form going into this game, which makes the clash a most watchable for the fans. The Royal are in best shape and will be hoping to continue their home mojo over the Catalans. Moreover, Barcelona was quick to overturn their Saturday disappointment with a 2-0 away win over Celtic at the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday.
However, I think this game will end up in a draw or a narrow margin win for Barcelona.
Real Sociedad vs Barcelona: Bet Tips
Asian Handicap: Real Sociedad +1.0 at 2.10.
