90min

Barcelona vs Real Sociedad Preview: How to Watch on TV, Live Stream, Kick Off Time & Team News

By Jude Summerfield

Messi scored the winner against Levante
Messi scored the winner against Levante / LLUIS GENE/Getty Images
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Barcelona return to La Liga action on Wednesday night when they take on current leaders Real Sociedad at Camp Nou.

Barça endured a hectic summer and things haven't calmed down since the season began, with four losses in their opening 11 games leaving them eighth - nine points off the top with two games in hand.

Real Sociedad have raced to the top of La Liga with seven wins, though second place Atletico Madrid have two games in hand with the same amount of points.

Where to Watch

When Is Kick Off? Wednesday 16 December
What Time Is Kick Off? 20:00 (GMT)
Where Is it Played? Camp Nou
TV Channel/Live Stream? Premier Sports (UK), fuboTV (US)

Team News

There are no fresh injury concerns for Ronald Koeman following the 1-0 victory against Levante at the weekend.

Ronald Araujo is expected to partner Clement Lenglet again in central defence with Samuel Umtiti still recovering from a knee problem, while Ansu Fati, Sergi Roberto and Ousmane Dembele are sidelined.

Araujo and Ter Stegen during the Juventus defeat
Araujo and Ter Stegen during the Juventus defeat / David Ramos/Getty Images

Real Sociedad are without Luca Sangalli, Mikel Oyarzabal and Aritz Elustondo, while there are further doubts over Asier Illarramendi and Miguel Angel Moya.

Manchester City legend David Silva is fit to start, while Belgium international Adnan Januzaj should feature out wide.

Predicted Lineups

Barcelona: Ter Stegen; Dest, Araujo, Lenglet, Alba; Pedri, Busquets, De Jong; Griezmann, Messi, Coutinho.

Real Sociedad: Remiro; Gorosabel, Zubeldia, Normand, Monreal; Silva, Zubimendi, Merino; Portu, Jose, Januzaj.

Recent Form

Barça put losses to Juventus and Cadiz behind them with a slender 1-0 victory over Levante on Sunday, Lionel Messi scoring the winner.

Koeman's side had won three games on the trot without conceding prior to the Cadiz defeat, overcoming Dynamo Kyiv, Osasuna and Ferencvaros and scoring 11 goals in the process.

Sociedad celebrate during the draw with Eibar
Sociedad celebrate during the draw with Eibar / Soccrates Images/Getty Images

Real Sociedad may be top of La Liga but a lack of cutting edge has creeped into their game recently. Imanol Alguacil's side have drawn their last six games in all competitions, with their last victory coming against Cadiz in November.

Here are the last five results in all competitions for each side.

Barcelona

Barcelona 1-0 Levante (16/12)
Barcelona 0-3 Juventus (8/12)
Cadiz 2-1 Barcelona (5/12)
Ferencvaros 0-3 Barcelona (2/12)
Barcelona 4-0 Osasuna (29/11)

Real Sociedad

Real Sociedad 1-1 Eibar (13/12)
Napoli 1-1 Real Sociedad (10/12)
Alaves 0-0 Real Sociedad (6/12)
Real Sociedad 2-2 Rijeka (3/12)
Real Sociedad 1-1 Villarreal (29/11)

Prediction

Koeman has made an unconvincing start as Barcelona manager
Koeman has made an unconvincing start as Barcelona manager / David Ramos/Getty Images

Barcelona haven't been good enough this season and will struggle to get themselves into any kind of title challenging shape. While Messi can bail them out of jail, the core of the team is odd and there's little goal threat.

That being said, Real Sociedad can't seem to avoid drawing games at the moment. With the visitors topping La Liga and the hosts still looking pretty confused with their playing style, a point apiece seems a likely outcome.

Prediction: Barcelona 1-1 Real Sociedad