Real Sociedad vs Barcelona Predictions

• Barcelona are on an 11-game winning run across all competitions.
• Real Sociedad have scored in eight of their nine home La Liga games.
• Barca have shipped 15 goals across 10 away games.

Sociedad can test in-form Barcelona

Barcelona are on an 11-game winning run across all competitions, claiming the Supercopa de Espana during that spell, but they face a quick turnaround for Sunday’s trip to Real Sociedad.

The Catalan giants had to dig a little deeper than they had probably expected when grinding out a 2-0 win at La Liga 2 pacesetters Racing Santander in the Copa del Rey on Thursday, while La Real edged out Osasuna on Tuesday.

Hansi Flick’s visitors have been keeping clean sheets lately with six in their last seven games. However, two of those shut-outs have come against teams from the lower leagues in Spain and Sociedad look capable of getting on the scoresheet, even if they are unable to halt Barca’s winning run.

Sociedad have been uncharacteristically inconsistent at the Anoeta this season but goals haven’t been the problem. They have scored in eight of their nine home league games and overall have scored in six successive games. Sociedad have also scored in games against Villarreal (L), Real Madrid (L) and Atletico Madrid (L) this season – and all three of those sides have conceded fewer league goals than Barcelona.

Backing Barca to win and both teams to score looks the best angle, and a 2-1 win for the visitors is the correct score pick. Barcelona have scored more than once in all of their last 11 games and have struck exactly twice in six of their last eight, while all four of La Real’s home losses have come via one-goal margins.

Raphinha should come back into the Barcelona starting side after coming off the bench at Racing, where he weighed in with an assist during his late cameo. The Brazilian hit four goals in two games during the Supercopa and has seven goals in total across his last three starts so he looks a strong contender for an anytime goal.