Barcelona v Real Sociedad: Prediction, Tips and Odds

Barcelona's La Liga title defence was officially ended following their recent loss to Girona and they will face a stern test of their credentials when Real Sociedad visit the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on Monday.

While it always felt like a case of when and not if Real Madrid would wrestle the La Liga trophy out of Barca's loosening grip, it was last weekend's 4-2 defeat at Girona that confirmed Los Blancos as champions.

That loss also saw Barca slip below Girona into third in the standings, but they can move back up second with victory against a Sociedad side that still has plenty to play for.

The visitors will head to Catalonia with European football looking pretty guaranteed for next season, but the result of Monday's game could go a long way to deciding whether that is in the Europa League or Europa Conference League.

Barcelona v Real Sociedad betting tips and predictions

Double Chance - Real Sociedad or Draw - 1/1

With any lingering title hopes having now been distinguished and Champions League football already guaranteed for next season, Barca seemingly have very little to play for heading into the final four matches of the campaign.

While finishing second and above Girona will be the goal, it is not exactly what Xavi and his players were hoping for and Sociedad may be able to capitalise if the hosts' are already looking ahead to the end of the season.

Sociedad boast the fourth-best away record in La Liga this season - behind only Barca, Real and Girona - and they will head into this game having lost just two of their previous 13 road fixtures in the division.

Real Madrid are also the only side to have beaten Imanol Alguacil's team, home or away, for seven matches since they were dumped out of the Champions League by Paris Saint-Germain in early March.

That hard-to-beat spirit could stand Sociedad in good stead on Monday, as could their greater need for the points, as they look to lock down a place in Europe for next season.

Sociedad will also take confidence from last season's corresponding fixture which they won 2-1, albeit that was played at the Camp Nou rather than Barca's current temporary home at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys.

That is also the only win the San Sebastian-based club have enjoyed over Barca across the last 19 meetings between the two sides - a run that dates back over eight years.

Such a poor recent record against Barca makes it hard to go all out on the Sociedad win, but the visitors are capable of frustrating their hosts and avoiding defeat in Catalonia.

Both teams to score - 4/5

One of the main reasons Barca have not been able to keep on the coattails of Real in this season's title race is down to their struggles at the back.

The Blaugrana have conceded 21 more goals than Real in the league this season and their total of 43 is three more than a Mallorca side that began this round of fixtures sitting just a place above the relegation zone.

Both teams have also scored in each of Barca's last four fixtures and in five of their previous six, while the last team to come to the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, Valencia, were able to hit the back of the net on two occasions. 

Sociedad aren't quite as prolific as Barca going forward, nor are they as porous at the back, but the goals have flown in their recent away games, with both teams netting in four of their previous five on their travels.

With both teams also scoring in this fixture last season - Sociedad's 2-1 win - it would be no surprise to see the net rustle at both ends once again on Monday.

Robin Le Normand to be booked - 15/8

Spain international Robin Le Normand has been a mainstay of Sociedad's defence this season, making 41 appearances across all competitions, but his position as a centre-back, coupled with his no-nonsense approach, has contributed to him regularly feeling the wrath of referees.

Le Normand has been booked 17 times this season, with 13 of those cautions coming in La Liga - only Ivan Alejo of Cadiz had more heading into this round of fixtures.

Four of those 13 league yellows have come across his last five appearances, and after picking up cautions in his previous two games against Real Madrid and Las Palmas, he is a prime contender to be booked for the third match on the spin.

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Barcelona v Real Sociedad odds

Barcelona - 3/4
Draw - 11/4
Real Sociedad - 7/2

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.