Real Sociedad vs Barcelona: How to watch on TV live stream, kick-off time, team news & predictions
Real Sociedad host Barcelona on Sunday night in the new campaign's first meeting between two of last season's top six.
La Real began the 2021/22 campaign in fine form as they strung together a 13-game unbeaten run. The San Sebastian outfit were inside the top four as late as February but a desperate struggle in front of goal saw them settle for Europa League qualification.
Barcelona embarked upon the opposite trajectory, climbing up to second place after Xavi Hernandez took charge of a club sitting ninth - incidentally, Real Sociedad were top at that time.
Here's everything you need to know about the meeting between this pair.
Where are Real Sociedad vs Barcelona playing?
- Location: Sociedad, Spain
- Stadium: Reale Arena
- Date: Sunday 21 August
- Kick-off Time: 21:00 BST / 16:00 EST / 13:00 PST
- VAR: Jose Luis Gonzalez Gonzalez
- Referee: Jose Luis Munuera Montero
Where can you watch Real Sociedad vs Barcelona in the UK?
Channel: ITV 4
Channel: Premier Sports 1
Streaming Service: ITV Hub
Streaming Service: LaLigaTV
Streaming Service: Premier Player
Broadcast Time: 20:30 (BST)
Where can you watch Real Sociedad vs Barcelona in The United States?
Streaming Service: ESPN+
Broadcast Time EST: 16:00
Broadcast Time PST: 13:00
Where can you watch Real Sociedad vs Barcelona in Canada?
Channel: TSN
Streaming Service: TSN App
Broadcast Time (EST): 16:00
Where can you watch Real Sociedad vs Barcelona Highlights?
Channel: Premier Sports
Stream: La Liga YouTube channel
H2H Results (Last Five Games)
Real Sociedad: 0 Wins
Barcelona: 5 Wins
Draws: 0
Current Form (Last Five Games)
Real Sociedad: WWLLW
Barcelona: WDWWD
Real Sociedad team news
Real Sociedad may have taken three points from their opening day victory over Cadiz but they lost left back Diego Rico to a hamstring injury. Carlos Fernandez missed the fixture entirely with a problem in the same area.
The forward Martin Merquelanz (knee) is another player La Real expect to return during September. Mikel Oyarzabal faces a race against time to reach the winter World Cup as he continues to recovering from an ACL tear he suffered last March.
Real Sociedad predicted lineup vs Barcelona
Real Sociedad Starting 11: Remiro; Elustondo, Zubeldia, Le Normand, Munoz; Merino, Zubimendi; Kubo, Silva, Mendez; Isak.
Bench: Zubiaurre, Pacheco, Gorosabel, Illarramendi, Guevara, Turrientes, Navarro, Barrenetxea, Cho.
Barcelona team news
With less than 24 hours to spare, Barcelona managed to register all but one of their new recruits. Jules Kounde had to watch the 0-0 draw with Rayo from the stands but Xavi has promised: "We will do everything possible so he’s playing against Real Sociedad next weekend."
One player who won't be making the trip to the Basque region is Sergio Busquets after receiving the third red card of his senior career last weekend.
Barcelona predicted lineup vs Real Sociedad
Barcelona Starting 11: Ter Stegen; Araujo, Christensen, Garcia, Alba; Gavi, De Jong, Pedri; Raphinha, Lewandowski, Dembele.
Bench: Pena, Pjanic, Pique, Fati, Torres, Aubameyang, Kessie, Roberto, Balde.
Real Sociedad vs Barcelona score prediction
While they may lack a clinical edge at the sharp end of the pitch, Imanol Alguacil has forged a parsimonious rearguard at the Reale Arena. Last season, only two La Liga clubs conceded fewer non-penalty expected goals than La Real.
Xavi may have a host of shiny new attacking weapons at his disposal but Barcelona have regularly been reduced to tossing hopeful crosses into the box during his tenure. However, when that box contains Robert Lewandowski (rather than plan B's Gerard Pique), you're in with a chance.
Prediction: Real Sociedad 1-1 Barcelona
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