Real Sociedad is fighting for every point it can get to secure a top-four spot in La Liga, but it canât expect any favours from Barcelona, which is sure to put more pressure on the visitors.
Who do Bettors Favor?
A check of the best online sportsbooks shows that Barcelona, as expected, is heavily favored by bettors to win this one. The new La Liga champion is -120 to beat Real Sociedad, while the visiting team is the underdog at between -320 and -345 and the draw is around the +270 mark.
Check out more La Liga Odds here.
Barcelona Not Letting Up
After two difficult seasons, Barcelona has victoriously returned to the top of Spanish football, winning the league title with four matches remaining.
That return to La Liga glory does not mean that Xavi's team can rest on its achievements, however, and after a few tough months, Barcelona fans will expect to see their team not letting up in its efforts as it seeks to finish the season strong, beginning with this match against Sociedad.
The disappointments in the Copa del Rey, the Champions League, and the Europa League indicate that this season has not been flawless, and fans will expect more from these players. A possible 97 points is on the table if the team wins this game and its three remaining matches and that will be its target.
Top Four Battle Still On
Real Sociedad is competing for a top-four finish, which will also bring Champions League qualification in next season, so it is fair to say that this match is much more significant for them than it is for Barcelona.
Imanol Alguacil's squad is currently fourth, five points ahead of Villarreal in fifth, and enters this match on a three-win, five-game unbeaten streak. Still, the Basque club dropped two points in a 2-2 draw against Girona last weekend, and a defeat in this match would leave it extremely vulnerable, given that it has yet to face Atletico Madrid and Sevilla. Therefore, the Sociedad players are under immense pressure to secure a top-four finish.
Sociedad has been putting in noteworthy performances on the road this season, amassing 30 points in 17 matches, nine of which were victories. Still, it has not defeated Barcelona in La Liga since April 2016, and Barcelona has won each of the last six meetings between the two teams, including a 4-1 triumph earlier this season.
La Liga Head-to-Head
Even though both of these teams have been regulars in La Liga for a number of years, their head-to-head record is extremely one-sided, as is often the case in the Spanish top Division, where two clubs have dominated for many seasons.
The last 35 meetings between Barcelona and Sociedad have resulted in 25 victories for Barcelona, five draws, and just five Sociedad victories. In the teams' two meetings this season, Barcelona won 1-0 in the Copa del Rey and routed its rivals 4-1 in the reverse fixture.
La Liga Team News
Gavi received a yellow card in last week's 4-2 victory over Espanyol, resulting in a one-match suspension, but other than that, the Barcelona team news is positive. Sergi Roberto returned to the bench after recovering from a hamstring injury in the Barcelona derby, and the Catalan club has no fresh injury concerns heading into this match.
Even though the championship has been secured, Xavi will probably not alter his lineup at this time. However, Ousmane Dembele, who just returned from a hamstring injury, may start on the wing, while Jordi Alba and Marcos Alonso are vying for a starting spot.
Real Sociedad is currently missing an array of players, including Brais Mendez, Umar Sadiq, and Martin Merquelanz, making matters more difficult. Mikel Oyarzabal, David Silva, and Alexander Sorloth are likely to lead the attack for the visitors, while Martin Zubimendi, who is frequently linked with a move to Barcelona, is expected to start alongside Mikel Merino in central midfield. Asier Illarramendi will likely start on the bench for the visiting team.
La Liga Match Betting Pick
It might be suggested that Real Sociedad has more motivation in this situation, but that ignores the fact that its opponent will be under bigger pressure. Barcelona's defense has been exceptionally reliable this season, and I expect it to withstand Sociedad's onslaught while also posing a threat on the other end. This makes Barcelona the best match betting pick at Camp Nou.
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