Real Sociedad vs Barcelona 14/12/19

14 December 2019

Real Sociedad and Barcelona come face-to-face at the Reale Seguros Stadium in a massive La Liga (LL) fixture.

The hosts’ dip in form has seen them pick up only one victory in their last four LL outings (W1, D2, L1), scoring one goal or less on three of those occasions. Even though they sit fourth in the table, the Basque giants have been surprisingly fragile at home this term, securing less than half of their total 27 LL points at this venue (13). In fact, three of Sociedad’s four LL home wins have come against the sides from the bottom half of the table, although all four have seen them net two or more goals. Imanol Alguacil’s men now face a formidable challenge of an in-form Barcelona side they’ve lost to in all five of their previous top-flight H2Hs.

Meanwhile, the Catalans have managed to overcome the Anoeta curse, securing back-to-back LL wins at this venue after ten years of suffering. The reigning holders travel to Sociedad on a seven-game winning run in all competitions, netting 2+ match goals in all but one of those games during that run. Furthermore, Ernesto Valverde’s men have clinched four triumphs in their last five LL road trips (W4, L1), shutting out their opponents in three of those wins. Barcelona usually move through the gears in the second half when they play away from home. Eight of their total 11 LL away goals scored so far have come after the break, even though they’ve scored in the final 15 minutes just twice in eight LL road trips this term.