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).
Match Preview Real Sociedad vs Barcelona
Boasting 27 points from their 16 matches this season, Sociedad are fourth in the Spanish top-flight title to the next set of matches. They are only four points clear of third-placed Sevilla, who was one of only three teams - the other two are Barca and Real Madrid - to win a league game over white and Blues this term.
Sociedad seven points of Barca with champions have a game in hand, but there is no question that the Basque club will be encouraged by their form during the 2019-20 campaign.
Imanol Alguacil's side have only lost once in the league since late October, which came away to Real Madrid on November 23. Since then, they have beaten Eibar and drawn with Real Valladolid.
Saturday's match is actually the penultimate fixture of La Liga Sociedad in 2019, although they will be in action Copa del Rey next week before finishing their year in Osasuna on December 22. A positive result against Barca could see them close the gap on Sevilla, who host Villarreal on Sunday night.
The omens were not exactly great for the home side, though, given that they have lost their last five La Liga matches against Barca. That said, the Basque side a 1-0 win at home in the month of April 2016, while they also held the Spanish giants to a 1-1 draw in November 2016.
Barca are not always at their free-flowing best this season, but the Spanish champions will enter this match on the back of seven-match winning run in all competitions.
Ernesto Valverde's side had actually lost one match since they beat Levante at the beginning of November, winning their last four in the league to hold the first position even though the form of Real Madrid.
Both Barca and Los Blancos have 34 points from their 15 games this season, with the former boasting a record of 11 wins, one draw and three defeats. The Catalan side have lost three league games in the whole of the 2018-19 campaign, which shows that they are not quite in full flow this term.
Sociedad will be the fresher of the two teams are given Barca in Champions League action against Inter Milan on Tuesday night - recorded a 2-1 win - but Valverde made a number of changes for the clash in Milan.
Lionel Messi also now seems completely over his injury problems early in the season, with 32 years, who was rested against Inter with one eye on this contest, scoring 14 times in his 15 appearances at club level during the 2019- 20 campaign.
Real Sociedad vs Barcelona Head-to-Head
This will be the 51 meetings between the two sides. Barcelona has the upper hand in the past, having won 32 and drawn 10, left Real Sociedad with only eight wins.
Furthermore, the Blaugrana have scored 106 goals in a match between the pair and only conceded 44.
The Basque side have, however, proved to be a boogie team for Barcelona in the past. The Catalans never gone 11 years without a league victory at the home of Real Sociedad, till 2-1 victory in January 2018 to solve the 'curse'.
Real Sociedad in the form guide: D W L D W
form guides Barcelona: W W W W L
Real Sociedad vs Barcelona Predictions
Prediction score: 2-2
Not since their 3-0 win at Eibar lower in mid-October should Barcelona put in a performance that truly convince themselves and that must be a worry for those heading into a tough match like this. Real Sociedad have sufficient quality to bag a few goals but they can be denied victory by the brilliance of Messi.
