Real Sociedad vs Barcelona: Copa del Rey Match Preview

A great performance by the team saw FC Barcelona overturn a 2-1 first leg deficit to win 3-1 in the first leg and beat Athletic Bilbao 4-3 on aggregate to book their place in the quarter final of the 2016/2017 Copa del Rey season where they were drawn to face Real Sociedad.

The Catalán giants travel to take on the San Sebastián outfits on Thursday night with an aim to secure victory and break a curse which have seen them never pick up a win at Real Sociedad’s Anoeta stadium since 2007.

Barça already visited their least favourite stadium in La Liga this season and it didn’t turn out well. Luis Enrique’s men were dominated from start to finish and were very lucky to come out with a 1-1 draw. Now Barça will be hoping to improve on that performance as they’re given another chance at redemption in the Copa.

TEAM NEWS

Coach Luis Enrique already named his squad featuring 18 players for the game and the only player absent through injury is midfielder Rafinha Alcántara who has a muscle problem. Goalkeeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen, Aleix Vidal and Jeremy Mathieu won’t take part in the game as they were left out of the squad for certain reasons. This means Jasper Cillessen is set to start in goal while Sergi Roberto returns at right-back.

Eusebio has more injury problems to contend with as he could be without star striker Carlos Vela for the game as the forward is still recovering from a knee injury. Mikel González, Carlos Martínez, Imanol Agirretxe and Bergara are also out of the clash.

PREVIOUS MEETINGS
Real Sociedad 1-1 Barcelona
Real Sociedad 1-0 Barcelona
Barcelona 4-0 Real Sociedad
Barcelona 2-0 Real Sociedad
Real Sociedad 1-0 Barcelona
Real Sociedad 3-1 Barcelona

FORM GUIDE
Real Sociedad: WDWLDW
Barcelona: WWLDWW

A MATCH FACT:
Barcelona have failed to win a game at the Anoeta against Real Sociedad for almost ten years as their last victory came in March 2007.

Predicted Real Sociedad Lineup: Rulli; Litri, Elustondo, Inigo Martinez, Berchiche; Xabi Prieto, Asier Illarramendi, Zurutuza; Juanmi, Willian Jose, Oyarzabal

Predicted Barcelona Lineup: Jasper Cillessen; Sergi Roberto, Piqué, Umtiti, Digne; Rakitic, Busquets, Iniesta; Messi, Suárez, Neymar

BarcaLens Prediction: Barça never win here, that’s the fact, but we can always hope it’ll change one day and with La Real missing a couple of stars, this could be it – Real Sociedad 1-2 Barcelona