Barcelona travel to Reale Arena for a Spanish La Liga clash, with both teams battling at different sides of the table.
The Catalans are looking almost unstoppable at the moment and boast a solid record in this fixture, while the hosts have been slightly off colour at home lately.
Real Sociedad have won just one of their last four matches across all competitions, a 2-1 victory over Getafe in their previous La Liga fixture. They were held to a 2-2 draw by Osasuna in a midweek Copa Del Rey clash before progressing on penalties.
La Reale are currently in the bottom half of the table and will be keen to push for one of the European places in the second half of the season. However, Pellegrino Materazzo's team will need some home improvement, having failed to win their last four matches in front of their fans.
After claiming a 3-2 victory over Real Madrid to win the Spanish Super Cup, Barcelona will now look to strengthen their lead at the top of the La Liga table. Hansi Flick's team have been imperious lately and have won their last 11 matches in all competitions.
Barcelona have been just as impressive on their travels, winning six of their last seven away matches in all competitions. They head into this clash off the back of a 2-0 victory at Racing Santander in a midweek Copa Del Rey fixture.
How the bookies view it: Barcelona heavily favoured
Barcelona have been installed as overwhelming favourites among the bookies and are priced at 3/5 on Ladbrokes. Real Sociedad are considered outsiders, with a home win valued at 4/1 by bet365 while a draw is set at odds of 7/2 by Paddy Power.
Head to head: Barcelona on top
Barcelona have a 31-7 advantage, with seven draws in the last 45 matches against Real Sociedad. The Catalans claimed a 2-1 home victory when both teams met in the reverse fixture in September.
Players to watch: Raphinha in the groove
Raphinha is the man in form at the moment for Barcelona, having scored five goals in the last four matches. The forward will be the one to watch on Saturday (Raphinha anytime goalscorer – set at odds of 6/5 by Ladbrokes).
Mikel Oyarzabal often features in attack for Real Sociedad and has scored five La Liga goals this season. He could be worth keeping an eye on (Mikel Oyarzabal anytime goalscorer – valued at 11/5 on William Hill).
Backed a player to find the net? Check our Goalscorer Betting guide to see how the markets work and where to find value.
Probable line-ups:
Yangel Herrera and Orri Oskarsson are likely to miss out on Sunday, with both men currently nursing injuries. Oyarzabal should feature up front while Duje Caleta-Car is set to continue at the back.
Barcelona will be without Gavi and Andreas Christensen, who are sidelined with injury. Dani Olmo could earn a start after coming off the bench in the Super Cup, while Robert Lewandowski is set to lead the line once again.
Real Sociedad: Marrero, Aramburu, Zubeldia, Caleta-Car, Gomez, Barrenetxea, Turrientes, Kubo, Kubo, Sucic, Oyarzabal.
Barcelona: Garcia, Kounde, Cubarsi, Garcia, Balde, Pedri, Fermin, Yamal, Olmo, Raphinha, Lewandowski.
Anything else catch the eye?
Barcelona have led at the break in three of their last four La Liga away matches (Barcelona halftime win – offered at Evens with bet365). The visitors have earned a win and over 2.5 goals in their last two matches against Real Sociedad (Barcelona win & over 2.5 goals – available at Evens with Ladbrokes).
Barcelona have scored in both halves in three of their last four matches against Real Sociedad (Barcelona to score in both halves – valued at Evens on William Hill).
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