Barcelona and Real Sociedad are set to face off on September 28 in a La Liga encounter that carries both excitement and high expectations. Softfootball can analyse that both clubs enter the clash under vastly different circumstances, with Barcelona enjoying strong momentum under new manager Hansi Flick, while Real Sociedad continue to grapple with inconsistency and defensive fragility.
Barcelona approached the match in excellent form with mixed injury feelings, buoyed by a recent 2-1 Champions League victory away at Newcastle United, where Marcus Rashford struck twice to secure the win.
Their recent performance was a 3-1 comeback win over Oviedo on Thursday night. Watch the highlights of the game as revealed on Barcelona’s official X handle below:
This result not only reinforced their strong European standing but also extended an extraordinary run of scoring in 41 consecutive games. Under Flick’s guidance, Barcelona have rediscovered their attacking spark, averaging nearly three goals per game and establishing themselves as one of the most feared offensive sides in Europe.
However, the club continues to adapt to temporary circumstances at home. With the Camp Nou closed for safety renovations, Barcelona are once again hosting matches at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys in Montjuïc. While the stadium offers better capacity and facilities than the smaller Estadi Johan Cruyff, it lacks the intimidating aura of their iconic home, potentially giving visiting teams a slight psychological lift.
In stark contrast, Real Sociedad arrived in Catalonia in poor form. They currently sit 18th in the La Liga standings after a disappointing 3-1 defeat to Real Betis, leaving them with just two points from their opening six matches.
Their return from the international break began with a 2-1 defeat to Real Madrid, which has been a mark of colossal failure for Coach Francisco.
Their struggles are most evident in defence, where they have conceded 14 goals across their last eight outings and failed to keep a clean sheet in nine straight games. Coach Sergio Francisco faces the challenge of restoring balance to a side that lacks cohesion and has lost three matches in succession. Nonetheless, Sociedad do retain attacking outlets capable of threatening on the break. Brais Méndez, who scored in their most recent match, and Takefusa Kubo, whose pace and creativity are well-suited to counterattacking situations, will be central to their hopes of unsettling a Barcelona defense that can occasionally lapse in concentration.
Tactically, the match is expected to favour Barcelona. Flick’s side should control the tempo through a midfield anchored by Pedri and Gavi, with Frenkie de Jong providing stability in deeper areas. Rashford’s sharp form in front of goal, supported by the creativity of Dani Olmo, gives the hosts a significant advantage in attack, while Robert Lewandowski’s presence ensures a clinical edge in decisive moments. However, Barcelona are in the quagmire of injury worries at the moment. Recently, Barcelona players Raphinha and Garcia have been ruled out of Sunday’s game due to injuries sustained this week.
Injured Raphinha (Photo Credit: Barcelona media)
Sociedad’s best hope lies in weathering Barcelona’s relentless pressing game and exploiting transitions, but their defensive vulnerability makes such a strategy risky over 90 minutes.
Ultimately, while Real Sociedad may find opportunities to test Barcelona, particularly through quick counters, the gulf in form and quality between the two sides is difficult to overlook. Barcelona’s superior attacking depth, coupled with their sustained domestic and European momentum, makes them overwhelming favourites to take all three points.
Predicted lineups
Barcelona are expected to field a 4-2-3-1 with García in goal, a back line of Martín, Christensen, Wojciech Szczesny, and Kounde, midfielders de Jong and Pedri anchoring behind an attacking trio of Rashford, Olmo, and Roony Bardghji, and Lewandowski leading the line. Sociedad, meanwhile, are likely to opt for a 4-3-3 setup featuring Remiro in goal; Gómez, Ćaleta-Car, Zubeldia, and Aramburu at the back; a midfield of Gorrotxategi, Marín, and Soler; and Barrenetxea, Oyarzabal, and Guedes forming the attacking trident.
Softfootball predicted result
Barcelona 2-0 Real Sociedad
