Will Real Sociedad and Barcelona play out a close game?
After the top game comes the next top game: FC Barcelona lost the prestigious clash with arch-rivals Real Madrid late on last matchday and lost the Clásico in stoppage time, and now the Catalans face a tough game on matchday 12 of La Liga. FC Barcelona visit Real Sociedad in San Sebastian on Saturday evening at 9 p.m.
It’s not just a clash between the fourth and fifth-placed teams in the table and two Champions League contenders, it’s also one of the toughest games in La Liga for Barça. Real Sociedad are still undefeated at home in the Reale Arena and the atmosphere at San Sebastian’s former home ground, formerly known as Anoeta, is very heated. In view of this, it is not exactly easy to predict the outcome of Real Sociedad v Barcelona at first glance
It can be assumed that this top match will be a very tight affair. At least coach Xavi Hernandez will be able to call on a number of convalescents ahead of the tough trip to the Basque Country, and the full week of training – Barça did not have to play a cup game – has played into the Blaugrana’s hands.
The betting odds for Real Sociedad v Barcelona show that the visitors’ victory is not a foregone conclusion and that the reigning champions will have their work cut out if they are to return home with the three points
Real Sociedad – statistics & current form
While Barcelona were able to focus on training during the week, Real Sociedad had to play in the cup. The first round of the Copa del Rey was on the agenda, but the four participants in the Spanish Super Cup – which takes place in the Final Four in Saudi Arabia in January – had a bye, including Barça. Real Sociedad, meanwhile, had to travel to Valencian amateur club CD Buñol and surprisingly struggled to a narrow 1-0 away win. However, coach Imanol Alguacil fielded a completely untested B-team and the regular players were allowed to rest.
It is therefore rather difficult to speak of a double burden with regard to the expected starting line-up on Saturday evening. The key players around Takefusa Kubo (5 goals) and captain Mikel Oyarzabal (6 goals) will therefore go into the top game with Barça well rested
Takefusa Kubo: Real Sociedad’s weapon on the right
The two lively attacking players Oyarzabal and Kubo will also put Barça’s defense to the test, especially left-footed Kubo – formerly trained at Barcelona’s youth academy La Masia – is a constant threat on the right wing as an inverted winger in the style of Arjen Robben. Kubo is the Basque side’s best player this season and will certainly cause Barça problems. It’s worth noting that Kubo has scored all five of his goals this season in home games
It can also be very interesting to place a bet on Real Sociedad vs Barcelona for a home win for the Basques. On average, the best bookmakers are offering odds of over 3.00 on a home win. Real Sociedad have not lost any of their six home games this season (4 wins, 2 draws).
Predicted Real Sociedad line-up:
Barcelona – Statistics & current form
But not only bets on the home win are well priced, this also applies to Real Sociedad vs Barcelona odds on the away win. There is an average of 2.25 on Barcelona to win at the Anoeta – for good reason. After all, there is not only the aforementioned home strength of the Basques, but also Barça’s current form.
Barcelona have won just two of their last five La Liga games – narrow 1-0 wins against Sevilla and Athletic Bilbao. Two disappointing draws against the average teams of Mallorca and Granada (2:2 each) were followed by the bitter Clásico tie last weekend, when Jude Bellingham scored arch-rivals Real Madrid to win 2:1 in Barcelona shortly before the final whistle
Xavi can rely on Lewandowski, Raphinha and probably Pedri again
So how have Barça recovered from the defeat against their arch-rivals? The Blaugrana camp could certainly do with a week without a cup game. There is at least some positive news in terms of personnel: Xavi can once again rely fully on Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha, and Pedri could also make his return after a month-long break.
Lewandowski’s presence and goalscoring threat in the penalty area is also urgently needed; with Barça having scored just one goal in three of their last four league games, the goalscorer’s return is eagerly awaited.
Predicted Barcelona line-up:
Real Sociedad – Barcelona head-to-head comparison / H2H record
Noteworthy in this duel: In four of the last five duels, there have always been away wins. Last season, Barça stormed the Anoeta and won 4-1 on matchday 2, while Real Sociedad won 2-1 at the Camp Nou in the second half of the season – although Barça were already champions by then.
Of course, Barça should not expect such an easy away win as in August 2022, as Real Sociedad are too solid and strong at home. However, the 2:1 win in May was also the first victory against the Blaugrana after a run of 17 games without a win, ending a black streak. Predicting Barcelona to win Real Sociedad v Barcelona is also statistically obvious, as Barcelona have historically won well over 50 percent of the matches. Out of 192 games, 113 went to Barça, with 37 wins for Real Sociedad and 42 draws
Real Sociedad – Barcelona betting tip
Will Barça suffer their next defeat against a top opponent after the Clasico defeat? It wouldn’t come as a surprise, because Real Sociedad are not only strong at home, but also solid – as can be seen in the Champions League, where the Basques top their group ahead of Inter Milan. If Barça want to take the three points, they will need a very concentrated top performance
We expect a real top match at eye level, in which everything is possible, home win, draw and also a narrow away win. And therefore goals on both sides, with both teams scoring in 13 of the last 20 matches.
Our Real Sociedad vs Barcelona betting tip is therefore for a draw at the break in a tight game
