MX23RW : Saturday, November 9 01:43:44| >> :120:14333:14333:
[monks data]
Real Sociedad logo
La Liga
Jan 4, 2015 at 8pm UK
 
Barcelona logo

1-0

Alba (2' og.)
FT(HT: 1-0)

Preview: Real Sociedad vs. Barcelona

Sports Mole previews the La Liga match between Real Sociedad and Barcelona.

David Moyes will be hoping that his Real Sociedad side can end a run of three La Liga matches without a win when they host Barcelona this weekend.

The Scotsman's side have picked up just six points from their last five outings in the Spanish top flight, leaving them 14th in the table, just two points clear of the relegation zone.

Top goalscorer Carlos Vela, who has scored six of the club's 17 goals this season, should be available again after a knock kept him out of Sociedad's final two games of 2014.

David Zurutuza is also in line for a return after an injury sustained in the Copa del Rey sidelined him in the draw with Levante.

Meanwhile, Barcelona will be trying to keep the pressure on league leaders Real Madrid, who sit just a point ahead of the Catalan side heading into the weekend.

Luis Enrique's side were in strong form prior to the winter break, winning five of their previous six outings in the league, extending back to November's El Clasico defeat.

Any hopes the manager had of adding to his squad during January's transfer window were dealt a blow over the festive period as the Court of Arbitration for Sport upheld a transfer embargo against the club.

Enrique should have almost an entire squad to chose from though, with only Thomas Vermaelen sidelined with a long-term hamstring injury.

Both sides won their home matches in the league last season, with Sociedad clinching an emphatic 3-1 win in their last meeting in February.

Real Sociedad:

Form in La Liga: WDWLDD
Form in all competitions:WDLDWD

Possible starting lineup: Rulli, Martinez, Martinez, Ansotegui, De La Bella, Bergara, Granero, Prieto, Canales, Finnbogason, Vela

Barcelona:

Form in La Liga: WWWWDW
Form in all competitions: WWWDWW

Possible starting lineup: Bravo, Montoya, Pique, Mascherano, Alba, Rakitic, Busquets, Iniesta, Neymar, Suarez, Messi

Sports Mole says: 0-2


ID:196673: cacheID:196673:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:4243:No Data Analysis info

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Restore Data
Share this article now:
Carlos Vela Garrido of Real Sociedad celebrates after scoring his team's third goal during the La Liga match between Real Socided and Elche FC at Estadio Anoeta on November 28, 2014
Read Next:
Sports Mole's La Liga Team of the Week
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona12110140112933
2Real Madrid1173121111024
3Atletico MadridAtletico126511871123
4Villarreal116322019121
5Osasuna126331716121
6Athletic Bilbao125431812619
7Real BetisBetis125431210219
8Mallorca12534109118
9Rayo Vallecano124441313016
10Celta Vigo125161820-216
11Real Sociedad124351010015
12GironaGirona124351517-215
13Sevilla124351217-515
14AlavesAlaves124171419-513
15Las PalmasLas Palmas133371622-612
16Leganes122551216-411
17Getafe12174810-210
18Espanyol123181122-1110
19Real ValladolidValladolid12228924-158
20Valencia11146817-97


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!