La Liga: FC Barcelona vs Real Sociedad- Preview, Live stream & TV channel info, Team News, Prediction, Betting odds

Lionel Messi is expected to make his first Liga start since his return from injury

Catalan giants Barcelona host struggling Real Sociedad in week 13 of La Liga with a chance to extend their lead at the top of the table to eight points. The Basque club face the frightening prospect of taking on the Liga leaders who have been in sensational form this season.

Barcelona will be looking to extend their hot streak of six consecutive victories in all competitions as Sociedad visit the Nou Camp with the most recent victory being the 6-1 mauling of Serie A side AS Roma.

Meanwhile, Real Sociedad who are hovering over the relegation places will look to consolidate under new manager Eusebio Sacristan and will draw hope from the fact that they beat Barcelona last year under former manager David Moyes.

Kick Off & Live Telecast

Date and Time: 28th November 2015- 8:30 PM IST

Venue: Camp Nou

Telecast: Sony Pix HD

Team News

Barcelona

The home side have no new injury concerns and this gives Enrique a good reason to select a strong side. Claudio Bravo will start between the goalposts, despite being the captain at Real Sociedad before joining the La Liga giants.

In the defence, Dani Alves, Jordi Alba, Pique and Mathieu or Thomas Vermaelen could feature for the home team. The midfield could be marshalled by Sergio Busquets and Ivan Rakitic, while the deadly trio MSN of Messi, Suarez and Neymar will lead the hunt for goals.

Real Sociedad

The away side will lack the services of Asier Illarremendi due to suspension. He joins other absentees such as Markel Bergara, Joseba Zaldua, Ion Ansotegi and Chory Castro. Eusebio’s men will, however, rely on the lethal Imanol Agirretxe, who has scored nine goals for his side so far this season.

Probable Lineups

Barcelona (4-3-3): Bravo; Alves, Pique, Bartra, Alba; Busquets, Roberto, Rakitic; Messi, Suarez, Neymar

Real Sociedad (4-2-3-1): Rulli; Elustondo, Inigo, Mikel, De La Bella; Pardo, Zurutuza; Bruma, Canales, Vela, Agirretxe

Form

Barcelona

The Catalans have been in the form of their lives. Last week’s decimation of bitter rivals Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu and the humiliation effected upon Italians AS Roma provides a sneak peek into the confidence and strength of Barcelona. They have won six games on the trot with the initial four coming in the absence of talisman Lionel Messi.

With the Argentine magician back for the Catalans, his partnership with Neymar and Suarez, who both have been simply irresistible so far, will be a daunting task for any team to contain.

Last 5 games- WWWWW

Real Sociedad

La Real sacked manager David Moyes after the 2-0 away defeat to Liga debutants Las Palmas early November which had left the Basque club with only 2 wins from the opening 11 games. However, they made an impressive start to life with new manager Eusebio Sacristan with a commanding 2-0 home win over last season’s Europa League winners Sevilla.

Last 5 games- LWLLW

Key Stats

• Barcelona have not conceded a goal in their last three games in La Liga at home
• Barcelona have scored a minimum of two goals against Sociedad in their last six home matches
• The home side have scored over 2.5 goals in their last 9 La Liga games
• Barca have won their last six consecutive matches at home in La Liga
• In all competitions, Barca have won 14 of their last home games against their weekend opponents

Prediction

Despite the fact Real Sociedad managed to beat Barcelona at home last season, with Barcelona in such terrifying form, it would be an almost impossible task for Real Sociedad to contain the Catalans. At this point in time, the Sociedad manager will be happy if his side avoid a cricket score at the Nou Camp.

Barcelona 4-0 Real Sociedad

Betting Odds(BET365)

Barcelona Win- 1/14

Draw- 12/1

Real Sociedad- 22/1