MX23RW : Monday, January 6 14:40:37| >> :60:3539:3539:
[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:
Written by
Sian Cowper
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
1Real Madrid19134243192443
2Atletico MadridAtletico18125133122141
3Barcelona19122551222938
4Athletic Bilbao19106329171236
5Villarreal188643430430
6Mallorca199371921-230
7Real Sociedad187471613325
8GironaGirona187472625125
9Real BetisBetis186752122-125
10Osasuna186752327-425
11Celta Vigo187382728-124
12Rayo Vallecano185762021-122
13Las PalmasLas Palmas186482327-422
14Sevilla186482027-722
15Leganes184681728-1118
16AlavesAlaves184592130-917
17Getafe183781115-416
18Espanyol1843111630-1415
19Valencia1826101728-1112
20Real ValladolidValladolid1833121237-2512


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!