Barcelona are the new champions of Spain. After delivering one of their best performances against Espanyol at the RCDE stadium, the Catalan giants clinched the league title with 4 games to spare. It's been a superb domestic campaign for Xavi's crew and they'll want to put on a show expected from champions in front of their fans, after which they'll lift the La Liga trophy.
It's not going to be a walk in the park though. They'll have to actually show up, as they'll be locking horns with Real Sociedad, who sit 4th in the standings but are being chased by Villarreal. A defeat will close the gap between them and the yellow submarines to 2 points. They've rediscovered their form in recent times, but were held at home to a draw by a spirited Girona last weekend. The three points here will be greatly needed, but what are the odds of an away side getting a win at the Camp Nou this season?
INTERESTING STATS
- Barcelona have the best defence in the league having conceded just 13 goals so far.
- The Catalan giants have only lost three matches out of their 34 league games.
Barcelona have won 21 out of the last 31 matches against Real Sociedad.
- Xavi’s team are unbeaten in their last 13 matches against Real Sociedad in La Liga.
-Barcelona have an excellent home record against the visitors, having won each of their last 24 home matches.
-Barcelona are the only team that have scored six goals against Real Sociedad in a single game in La Liga, securing a 6-1 victory in March 2021.
TEAM NEWS
Barcelona
Pedri and Ronald Araujo didn't show up to the recent training sessions due to discomforts, and Gavi is suspended due to accumulation of yellow cards. This will give Xavi the chance to give some fringe players much needed minutes.
Marc Andre TerStegen has a record to break, so he'll be between the sticks. Marcos Alonso could replace Araujo in the backline. Kessie could come into the midfield, joining DeJong and Busquets. Ansu Fati and Ousmane Dembele are expected to start alongside Robert Lewandowski. Pablo Torre, Eric Garcia, Jordi Alba and Ferran Torres will all be expected to show up at some point.
Real Sociedad
The visitors will be without the services of Brais Mendez, Umar Sadiq and Martin Merquelanz who are all out injured. David Silva will also be absent. Imanol is expected to field out the same XI that drew against Girona, bar Silva.
Alex Remiro will be in goal. Andoni Gorosabel and Aihen Munoz are expected to be the full-backs. Meanwhile, Igor Zubeldia and Robin Le Normand will be the centre-back.
Takefusa Kubo and Mikel Oyarzabal will start out wide in the centre of the park. Martin Zubimendi and Mikel Merino will be the central midfielders. Illarramendi could come in for Silva and will be in support of Alexander Sorloth in the attack.
Where and when are Barcelona vs Real Sociedad playing?
Location: Barcelona, Spain
Stadium: Camp Nou
Date: Saturday 20 April
Kick-off Time: 20:00 BST / 15:00 ET / 12:00 PT
Referee: Javier Alberola Rojas
VAR: Ignacio Iglesias Villanueva
Real Sociedad will be desperate for the win in order to maintain the gap between them and 5th place Villarreal. But it's the Camp Nou, where Barcelona have been nothing short of imperious this season. And the Catalans wouldn't want to disappoint their fans either, even though there's nothing left to play for.
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