MX23RW : Tuesday, January 12 10:11:29| >> :120:32000:32000:
Dec 16, 2020 at 8pm UK at Camp Nou
BarcelonaBarcelona
2-1
Real SociedadReal Sociedad
Alba (31'), de Jong (43')
Busquets (41'), Trincao (88'), Koeman (89'), Alena (90+3')
FT(HT: 2-1)
Jose (27')
Januzaj (20'), Barrenetxea (58'), Le Normand (80')

How Barcelona could line up against Real Sociedad

Sports Mole looks at how Barcelona could line up for their La Liga clash with Real Sociedad on Wednesday evening.

Barcelona will be looking to secure their fourth home win on the bounce in La Liga when they welcome Real Sociedad to Camp Nou for a fascinating affair on Wednesday evening.

Despite being put to the sword by Juventus on their own turf in the Champions League, Ronald Koeman's side returned to winning ways with a 1-0 triumph over Levante on Sunday, with none other than Lionel Messi scoring the decisive goal.

Barca are now facing the league leaders as Sociedad remain at the top of the pile despite only managing to draw with Eibar, and nine points separate the two rivals in the table heading into Wednesday's game.

Here, Sports Mole looks at how Barcelona could line up for the visit of Sociedad.



POSS BAR XI vs. SOC

Out: Ousmane Dembele (hamstring), Ansu Fati (knee), Gerard Pique (knee), Sergi Roberto (thigh)
Doubtful: None

> Click here for Barcelona's latest injury and suspension news ahead of this match

As well as the three long-term absentees in Sergi Roberto, Ansu Fati and Gerard Pique, the Barcelona medical room welcomed a familiar face as Ousmane Dembele sustained a hamstring injury before the Levante clash.

However, Koeman has no fresh concerns from the weekend's victory, although Samuel Umtiti has now returned to the fold and is pushing for a starting place in the defence.

The Frenchman is unlikely to force his way in over Ronald Araujo or compatriot Clement Lenglet, though, with Sergino Dest and Jordi Alba keeping their places out wide as the back four remains the same.

Koeman would normally be tempted into midfield rotation with only a couple of days rest, but Sociedad pose an extremely difficult test for the Blaugrana and the midfield two of Frenkie de Jong and Sergio Busquets is likely to remain the same.

Miralem Pjanic will most likely be forced to watch from the bench once again, while Riqui Puig was reportedly branded a "leak" by Koeman after information regarding a possible summer transfer became public.

Further up the pitch, 18-year-old Pedri impressed in his 30-minute cameo against Levante, and Koeman could very well put his trust in the Spanish protege from the first whistle in this game.

Should Pedri start in the number 10 role, Philippe Coutinho is likely to be shifted out to the left flank in place of Martin Braithwaite, who will probably be the unfortunate one to drop out.

Barcelona's talisman Messi - who notched up the only goal in this fixture last season - will be aiming to strike for the 17th time against Sociedad as he spearheads the Blaugrana attack on Wednesday.

ID:426399:cQx

How you voted: Barcelona vs Real Sociedad

Barcelona
62.8%
Draw
18.2%
Real Sociedad
19.0%
274
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Juventus forward Cristiano Ronaldo warms up ahead of his side's Champions League match on November 4, 2020
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Atletico MadridAtletico1512212962338
2Real Madrid18114330151537
3Barcelona18104437172034
4Villarreal188822617932
5Real Sociedad1986529161330
6Sevilla169342113830
7Granada177371929-1024
8Celta Vigo186572228-623
9CadizCadiz186571522-723
10Real Betis187292231-923
11Levante175662324-121
12Athletic Bilbao186392122-121
13Getafe175571518-320
14Valencia184772425-119
15EibarEibar184771518-319
16AlavesAlaves184681623-718
17Real Valladolid184681625-918
18ElcheElche163761421-716
19Osasuna173681525-1015
20Huesca181981428-1412

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