Probable Lineups

4-3-3
Barcelona
4-5-1
Real Sociedad
© WhoScored.com

Probable Lineups Statistical Comparision

(106) 75 Goals 38 (64)
(87) 66 Assists 23 (42)
(7) 7.2 Average Ratings 6.9 (6.8)
27.3 Average Age 25.2
175.7 Average Height (cm) 180.1
(0.9) 1.2 Shots pg 1.1 (1)
(48%) 47% Aerial Duel Success 52% (51%)
(1.1) 0.9 Dribbles pg 0.5 (0.6)
(1.4) 1.3 Tackles pg 1.5 (1.5)
* Values in brackets (x) are overall player statistics in LIGA BBVA.

Missing Players

Player Reason Status Rating
Eric Abidal Out 6.55
Marc Muniesa Out N/A
Isaac Cuenca Out N/A
Thiago Alcántara Doubtful 7.06
Carles Puyol Doubtful 6.86
David Villa Doubtful 6.72
No missing players.

Team News

Barcelona
  • Barcelona take to competitive action for the first time under Tito Vilanova at the Camp Nou on Sunday night and will be without up to six first-team players.
  • Eric Abidal, Marc Muniesa and Isaac Cuenca are all definitely out through illness and injury respectively, whilst Thiago is still recovering from the leg injury that kept him out of the Olympics and Carles Puyol and David Villa are still someway short of full match fitness.
  • The main question for Vilanova will be who plays either side of Lionel Messi in attack with Alexis Sanchez expected to play on the right and Andres Iniesta or Cesc Fabregas supporting on the left. However, Pedro is also in contention to start.
Real Sociedad
  • Real Sociedad coach Philippe Montanier has a wealth of attacking options to choose from as Carlos Vela made his loan move from Arsenal permanet and Chori Castro joined from Mallorca.
  • However, the Frenchman is likely to have to fill the midfield given the calibre of the opposition so Gorka Elustondo could be flanked by Asier Illarramendi and David Zurutuza.
  • Jose Angel is also expected to make his debut at left-back.

Prediction

  • Sociedad could very well be the surprise package of the league this season given their investment over the summer, but a trip to the Nou Camp on the first weekend of the season will almost certainly prove too much for Montanier's young side.
  • Lionel Messi has had a free summer for the first time in three years and has begun the campaign in ominous form, scoring six times for club and country before he's even played a competitive game.
  • Barca only failed to win twice at home last season and scored an average of 3.8 goals per game in the process, whilst Sociedad on the other hand, only won three times away from home.
Prediction:
Barcelona
3
1
Real Sociedad
© WhoScored.com

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Head to Head Stats

R Team W D L Pts Form
1 Barcelona 30 4 2 94 wwdwww
4 R. Sociedad 17 11 8 62 wdwldw

Top Players

Barcelona
Real Sociedad
L. Messi 8.85
F. Fábregas 7.39
A. Iniesta 7.38
C. Martínez 7.53
C. Vela 7.39
A. Illarramendi 7.18
L. Messi 46
F. Fábregas 10
D. Villa 9
C. Vela 14
I. Agirretxe 13
A. Griezmann 8
A. Iniesta 15
L. Messi 12
F. Fábregas 11
C. Vela 9
I. Agirretxe 4
G. Castro 4

Match Forecast

Real Sociedad will create many scoring chances  
There will be a low number of cards shown  
Real Sociedad will make a comeback if they go behind  
Barcelona will score a long shot  
* Match forecast is generated from clashes in team characters.

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