Ace Football previews the La Liga match between FC Barcelona and Real Sociedad, and offers betting tips, odds, line-ups, and team news.
La Liga leaders Real Sociedad’s credentials will be put to ultimate test in a visit to Camp Nou to face 26-time champions FC Barcelona on Wednesday night.
There is a lot riding on this game for both teams, who simply cannot afford to drop points. Sociedad, for one, are level on 26 points with Atletico Madrid at the top of the league standings. While Barcelona are nine points behind already and, therefore, desperately need to pull together a run of positive results.
Lionel Messi’s late penalty earned the Catalan giants a narrow 1-0 win in their last meeting with Sociedad at Camp Nou in March. The hosts have won four of their last five league encounters (D1) – albeit by a one-goal margin.
But with Ronald Koeman’s side struggling to get into gear this season, along with their excellent away form, La Real will be hopeful of springing an upset in Catalonia for what should be a captivating showdown.
FC Barcelona Form & Stats
Lionel Messi scored his eighth goal of the season to salvage a slender 1-0 win over Levante last weekend. It wasn’t an impressive performance by any means, but the victory ended a two-match losing run.
That much-needed triumph in Catalonia moved Barcelona into eighth-place in La Liga and nine points behind joint-league leaders Real Sociedad and, more importantly, Atletico Madrid – who lost 2-0 to Real Madrid.
Koeman will now be desperate to string together a strong run of results, having been dogged by inconsistency so far this season. The pressure is on for the Dutchman to deliver as changes beckon over for the club.
Aside from defeats to Juventus and Real Madrid, however, Barcelona have been strong at home this season. They also have an impressive record against Sociedad at home and certainly have a point to prove.
Key Team Stats
- Won their last 20 home games against Sociedad in all competitions.
- Scored the first goal in their last 10 home games against Sociedad.
- Unbeaten in 35 of their last 37 home league games.
- BTTS before half-time in 50% of their home league games this season.
- Clement Lenglet has a club-best of 5 yellow cards this season.
Real Sociedad Form & Stats
Imanol Alguacil’s side have become stalemate specialists recently, having drawn their last six games in all competitions following a 1-1 draw at home to Eibar last weekend.
Sergi Enrich’s second-half goal canceled out Ander Barrenetxea’s opener to costs the hosts all three points. Atletico Madrid’s loss against Real Madrid, however, spared Sociedad their blushes after another slip-up.
But it’s worth nothing that La Real have performed excellent on the road this season, having gone unbeaten in their last nine games (W5 D4). And with plenty to play for in the league, they’ll be determined to take something from Barcelona.
Key Team Stats
- Drawn their last 3 league games.
- Drawn their last 6 games in a row.
- Won 67% of their away league games this season.
- Under 2.5 goals in their last 5 league games.
- Won both halves in 2 of their 6 away league games this season.
- Penalty in 54% of their league games this season.
Team News
Barcelona: Ansu Fati, Sergi Roberto, Gerard Pique, Ousmane Dembele (out).
Real Sociedad: Luca Sangalli, Mikel Oyarzabal, Aritz Elustondo, David Silva (out); Asier Illarramendi, Miguel Angel Moya (doubts).
Predicted Line-up
(Note: The image will change to the official XI once they’re both announced)
Top Goalscorers in Recent Games
Head-To-Head Record
Below are some head-to-head stats on each team’s recent form in La Liga.
Match Facts
Betting Tips
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