Barcelona Aim to Reclaim La Liga Summit Against Resurgent Real Sociedad
Barcelona hosts Real Sociedad on Sunday seeking to capitalize on Real Madrid’s recent slip-up and regain the top spot in La Liga. The match presents a crucial prospect for Barça to establish an early statement in the title race and build momentum ahead of a challenging Champions league tie against Paris Saint-Germain.Last season’s encounter between these sides saw Barcelona dominate with a 4-0 victory, a result significantly influenced by an early red card for Real Sociedad.
Real Sociedad enters the match battling to climb out of the relegation zone and desperately needing a positive result to revitalize their season. While the core of the squad that previously thrived under Imanol Alguacil remains intact, the departure of Martin Zubimendi has noticeably impacted their midfield.However, a hard-fought 1-0 win against Mallorca midweek has provided a confidence boost as they prepare for a arduous trip to the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys. Barcelona have historically struggled to fully leverage opportunities presented by Real Madrid losses, adding further importance to securing a win on Sunday.
Team Lineups:
Barcelona (4-2-3-1): Szczesny; Kounde, Araujo, Cubarsí, Martín; De Jong, Pedri; Rashford, Olmo, Ferran; Lewandowski
Real Sociedad (4-3-3): Remiro; Aramburu, Zubeldia, Caleta-Car, Gómez; Méndez, gorrotxategi, Soler; Kubo, Oyarzabal, Barrenetxea
Score Prediction: 3-1 to Barcelona.