Barcelona v Real Sociedad: Prediction, Tips and Odds

La Liga is shaping up to have a title race for the ages, with just a point splitting the top three sides with 13 matches to go.

Barcelona, who won 4-0 at the Bernabeu in La Liga back in October, are above champions Real Madrid on goal difference, while Atletico Madrid are a point shy of those two, having drawn 1-1 twice with their city rivals and winning 2-1 at Barca earlier this season. 

The Catalans have raced into the lead thanks to a five-game winning run in the league and Sunday’s encounter with Real Sociedad should see them extend that fine form. 

Barcelona v Real Sociedad betting tips and predictions

Barcelona -1 - 8/11

Real Sociedad were expected to mount a challenge for the top four this season, but they’re sitting in ninth ahead of this difficult trip. With a 10-point gap to fifth, it seems like Sociedad’s best route to Champions League football is through the Europa League, which could see their league campaign put on the back burner.

The visitors have paid for some poor away form in La Liga, which has dented their hopes of European football. Sociedad have lost six of their 12 matches on the road, including five defeats to nil. They’ve scored just eight times in those 12 trips.

Sociedad’s away woes are even worse when considering that they have yet to face five of the top six on the road. They have visited four sides in the top 10, losing each of those games to nil while shipping seven goals.

Leaders Barcelona are a much bigger test for Sociedad, with the hosts winning eight of 11 home matches this term. The Catalans have scored 15 times and conceded only twice across their five-game winning run in the league, so they are worthy favourites for Sunday’s clash.

Back Barca to win a one-sided game, with Sociedad likely to suffer another meek defeat on their travels. The hosts are good value with a -1 handicap, with the visitors making this trip after losing five of their previous eight league matches. 

Nayef Aguerd and Jon Aramburu to be booked - 12/1

Real Sociedad’s backline will be tested in Sunday’s clash, with Barcelona recording the most shots on target in La Liga this term. The visitors are also likely to get into trouble with the referee, as Barcelona have been fouled at the fifth-highest rate in La Liga this term, while Sociedad have committed the fifth-highest number of fouls.

Two Sociedad players stand out in the card markets, with defender Nayef Aguerd picking up seven cautions in this campaign across all competitions. He’s been booked in three of his seven appearances since the beginning of February, including two of his last three league games.

Jon Aramburu has 10 bookings to his name this term, including seven in La Liga - the most of any player across the two squads. He ranks second in terms of fouls made for Sociedad this term and he’s a good option for a booking against the in-form hosts. 

Correct score 3-0 Barcelona - 13/2

A 3-0 victory for Barcelona a correct score prediction well worth considering, given Sociedad’s issues on their travels. The visitors have struggled for goals on the road, while Barca have notched 29 goals in their 11 home matches so far this season.

Sociedad have lost 3-0 in two of their previous five La Liga matches, so back the title-chasing hosts to rack up the goals having won 24 of their previous 25 home meetings between the pair. 

Read more football betting tips and predictions on site.

Barcelona v Real Sociedad odds

Barcelona - 1/4
Draw - 19/4
Real Sociedad - 11/1

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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.