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Played
December 12, 2010 8:00 PM GMT
Camp Nou — Barcelona
Referee: David Fernández
Attendance: 74931
December 12, 2010 8:00 PM GMT
Camp Nou — Barcelona
Referee: David Fernández
Attendance: 74931
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| Barcelona | 1.10 | 1.00 | 0.00 | 1.08 | 1.01 |
| Draw | 9.00 | 21.00 | 0.00 | 9.50 | 21.00 |
| Real Sociedad | 21.00 | 61.00 | 0.00 | 26.00 | 36.00 |
La Liga Previews: Barcelona - Real Sociedad
It’s back to league business for Barca, who’ll be wary of la Real...
By Robin Bairner
Immense
Barcelona’s juggernaut has picked up maximum speed and appears to be heading towards a clutch of titles again this season. La Blaugrana are back to the summit of the Primera Division after a brief hiatus and they’ve also progressed in the Champions League, defeating bogey side Rubin Kazan 2-0 on Tuesday evening, despite fielding a fringe side. Real Sociedad are the latest unit to question the might of la Blaugrana.
Pep Guardiola watched on contentedly as goals from Fontas and Victor Vazquez dispatched Rubin with the minimum of fuss in midweek, firmly announcing the two young talents to the world. Additionally, Thiago produced a smooth performance in the middle of the park, increasing talk that he could be Xavi’s long-term successor. All-in-all, Barca’s youths did themselves proud.
But it will be the more experienced figures who are back in the spotlight come Sunday’s potentially awkward clash against the Basques. The senior players have been strong of late, shaking off any World Cup fatigue that was still evident in their performances earlier this season. Guardiola’s men have now won eight successive league matches, scoring a stunning 27 times in their last six.
The last time a side with Real in their name visited Camp Nou, they were sent packing in spectacular style. Barca will again expect three points from Sunday’s encounter, but they won’t be so naive to predict a repeat of the 5-0 bashing they dealt to great rivals Real Madrid a fortnight ago.
No Fear
Promoted from the Segunda Division in the summer, Real Sociedad would have watched on impressed as Hercules recorded a staggering victory in Camp Nou at the season’s outset. But the Basque club have made waves of their own, albeit not so spectacular but certainly more effective.
Their rivals from Alicante may have claimed some giant scalps, but they remain on the fringes of the relegation zone. La Real, meanwhile, have proven that slow and steady wins the race, with their magnificent home form lifting them to the unexpected heights of sixth.
Last weekend’s terrific 2-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao was a perfect example of why Sociedad have been successful this season at Anoeta. They were disciplined defensively but also sharp enough in their opponents’ box to force mistakes that led to goals.
Despite their lofty position, la Real remain humble and are acutely aware of the challenge that will be posed to them on Sunday night. “It will be a nice game, and we intend to travel to the Camp Nou with the intention of doing a good job’” Joseba Llorente said. “If we go into the match thinking we are going to be victims or conceding as few goals as possible, we are certainly going to lose.
“We have to go in without any fear and fight for every ball. The only trick to getting a positive result there is to hope that we play to 100 per cent and that they do not have a good day.”
With 22 points in the bank, the newly promoted outfit are well on the way to their pre-season target of safety.
TEAM NEWS
Barcelona
Gabriel Milito and Jeffren Suarez are the only two absentees for Pep Guardiola’s side. Bojan Krkic is back involved in the first team after picking up a midweek problem and Seydou Keita is also ready to play after a knee issue kept him out in midweek.
Real Sociedad
Martin Lasarte is considering reshuffling his side to include five defenders in an attempt to stifle the home side.
French youngster Antoine Griezmann has been training in the gym and looks very unlikely to play, while Diego Ifran and David Zurutuza are also struggling badly.
Barcelona’s juggernaut has picked up maximum speed and appears to be heading towards a clutch of titles again this season. La Blaugrana are back to the summit of the Primera Division after a brief hiatus and they’ve also progressed in the Champions League, defeating bogey side Rubin Kazan 2-0 on Tuesday evening, despite fielding a fringe side. Real Sociedad are the latest unit to question the might of la Blaugrana.
| Bet: | Returns: | Real Sociedad £25.00 | Draw £37.50 | Real Madrid £27.00 |
|
| Bet: | Returns: | Real Sociedad £25.00 | Draw £35.00 | Real Madrid £26.20 |
|
| Bet: | Returns: | Real Sociedad £26.00 | Draw £34.00 | Real Madrid £26.00 |
|
| Bet: | Returns: | Real Sociedad £25.00 | Draw £36.00 | Real Madrid £26.00 |
|
| Bet: | Returns: | Real Sociedad £25.00 | Draw £35.00 | Real Madrid £26.20 |
|
Pep Guardiola watched on contentedly as goals from Fontas and Victor Vazquez dispatched Rubin with the minimum of fuss in midweek, firmly announcing the two young talents to the world. Additionally, Thiago produced a smooth performance in the middle of the park, increasing talk that he could be Xavi’s long-term successor. All-in-all, Barca’s youths did themselves proud.
But it will be the more experienced figures who are back in the spotlight come Sunday’s potentially awkward clash against the Basques. The senior players have been strong of late, shaking off any World Cup fatigue that was still evident in their performances earlier this season. Guardiola’s men have now won eight successive league matches, scoring a stunning 27 times in their last six.
The last time a side with Real in their name visited Camp Nou, they were sent packing in spectacular style. Barca will again expect three points from Sunday’s encounter, but they won’t be so naive to predict a repeat of the 5-0 bashing they dealt to great rivals Real Madrid a fortnight ago.
No Fear
Promoted from the Segunda Division in the summer, Real Sociedad would have watched on impressed as Hercules recorded a staggering victory in Camp Nou at the season’s outset. But the Basque club have made waves of their own, albeit not so spectacular but certainly more effective.
Their rivals from Alicante may have claimed some giant scalps, but they remain on the fringes of the relegation zone. La Real, meanwhile, have proven that slow and steady wins the race, with their magnificent home form lifting them to the unexpected heights of sixth.
Last weekend’s terrific 2-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao was a perfect example of why Sociedad have been successful this season at Anoeta. They were disciplined defensively but also sharp enough in their opponents’ box to force mistakes that led to goals.
Despite their lofty position, la Real remain humble and are acutely aware of the challenge that will be posed to them on Sunday night. “It will be a nice game, and we intend to travel to the Camp Nou with the intention of doing a good job’” Joseba Llorente said. “If we go into the match thinking we are going to be victims or conceding as few goals as possible, we are certainly going to lose.
“We have to go in without any fear and fight for every ball. The only trick to getting a positive result there is to hope that we play to 100 per cent and that they do not have a good day.”
With 22 points in the bank, the newly promoted outfit are well on the way to their pre-season target of safety.
TEAM NEWS
Barcelona
Gabriel Milito and Jeffren Suarez are the only two absentees for Pep Guardiola’s side. Bojan Krkic is back involved in the first team after picking up a midweek problem and Seydou Keita is also ready to play after a knee issue kept him out in midweek.
Real Sociedad
Martin Lasarte is considering reshuffling his side to include five defenders in an attempt to stifle the home side.
French youngster Antoine Griezmann has been training in the gym and looks very unlikely to play, while Diego Ifran and David Zurutuza are also struggling badly.
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Field Report
Reader's Predictions
Top 3 Predictions
-
FC Barcelona 4-0 Real Sociedad
- 24.47 %
-
FC Barcelona 3-0 Real Sociedad
- 21.76 %
-
FC Barcelona 5-0 Real Sociedad
- 12.77 %
| Spain - Primera Division (LIGA) | Jan 19, 2013 | Real Sociedad 3 - FC Barcelona 2 |
|
| Spain - Primera Division (LIGA) | Aug 19, 2012 | FC Barcelona 5 - Real Sociedad 1 |
|
| Spain - Primera Division (LIGA) | Feb 4, 2012 | FC Barcelona 2 - Real Sociedad 1 |
|
| Spain - Primera Division (LIGA) | Sep 10, 2011 | Real Sociedad 2 - FC Barcelona 2 |
|
| Spain - Primera Division (LIGA) | Apr 30, 2011 | Real Sociedad 2 - FC Barcelona 1 |
|
FC Barcelona
    |
||
| May 19, 2013 | FC Barcelona 2 - Valladolid 1 | LIGA |
| May 12, 2013 | Atletico Madrid 1 - FC Barcelona 2 | LIGA |
| May 5, 2013 | FC Barcelona 4 - Betis 2 | LIGA |
| May 1, 2013 | FC Barcelona 0 - FC Bayern München 3 | UCL |
| Apr 27, 2013 | Athletic Bilbao 2 - FC Barcelona 2 | LIGA |
Real Sociedad
 |
||
| May 18, 2013 | Sevilla 1 - Real Sociedad 2 | LIGA |
| May 13, 2013 | Real Sociedad 2 - Granada 2 | LIGA |
| May 6, 2013 | Getafe 2 - Real Sociedad 1 | LIGA |
| Apr 28, 2013 | Real Sociedad 4 - Valencia CF 2 | LIGA |
| Apr 21, 2013 | Osasuna 0 - Real Sociedad 0 | LIGA |
| Returns: | Barcelona £10.80 |
|
Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 | |
| Returns: | Draw £210.00 |
|
Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 | |
| Returns: | Real Sociedad £610.00 |
|
Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
| 1 | Víctor Valdés | Goalkeeper |
| 17 | Maxwell | Defender |
| 22 | Éric Abidal | Defender |
| 5 | Carles Puyol | Defender |
| 2 | Daniel Alves | Defender |
| 8 | Andrés Iniesta Luján | Midfielder |
| 6 | Xavi | Midfielder |
| 14 | Javier Mascherano | Midfielder |
| 17 | Pedro | Striker |
| 7 | David Villa | Striker |
| 10 | Lionel Messi | Striker |
| 13 | José Pinto Colorado | Goalkeeper |
| 21 | Adriano | Defender |
| 11 | Thiago Alcántara | Midfielder |
| 22 | Bojan Krkic | Striker |
| - | Seydou Keita | Midfielder |
| 3 | Piqué | Defender |
| 16 | Busquets | Midfielder |
| 1 | Claudio Bravo | Goalkeeper |
| 24 | Alberto De la Bella | Defender |
| 15 | Ion Gorostola | Defender |
| 3 | Mikel González Martínez | Defender |
| 2 | Carlos Martínez Díez | Defender |
| 7 | Antoine Griezmann | Striker |
| 19 | Diego Rivas Gutiérrez | Midfielder |
| 11 | Mikel Aranburu Eizagirre | Midfielder |
| 4 | Gorka Gorka Elustondo Urkiola | Midfielder |
| 10 | Xabi Prieto | Midfielder |
| 9 | Joseba Llorente Etxarri | Striker |
| 13 | Zubikarai | Goalkeeper |
| 4 | Mikel Labaka | Defender |
| 5 | Markel Bergara | Midfielder |
| 18 | Viguera | Striker |
| 9 | Raúl Tamudo | Striker |
| 26 | Jeffrey Sarpong | Midfielder |
| 17 | Zurutuza | Midfielder |
| Lionel Messi | |
| Position: | Striker |
| Squad Number: | 10 |
| Games | Goals | YC | RC |
|---|---|---|---|
| 32 | 46 | 1 | 0 |
Lionel Messi’s form remains irrepressible. It’s now at the stage when it’s a shock when he fails to score in a match, and if he doesn’t find the target then it’s almost inevitable that he has had a direct hand in helping a team-mate to register. Played only a cameo in midweek so should be in energetic mood for the weekend.
| Joseba Llorente Etxarri | |
| Position: | Striker |
| Squad Number: | 9 |
| Games | Goals | YC | RC |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
Veteran attacker Joseba Llorente has experienced the atmosphere at Camp Nou many times before and will be aware of what to expect when la Real meet Barca. If he gets an opportunity in front of goal he will quite simply have to take it as the home side will not afford their guests a good deal of possession, and when they have it they have to make sure it’s not squandered.
1 
17 
22 
5 
2 
8 
6 
14 
17 
7 
10 
1 
24 
15 
3 
2 
7 
19 
11 
4 
10 
9 Real Sociedad’s success has largely all come at Anoeta, and there are few tougher venues to visit than Camp Nou. Refreshed after a relatively stress-free midweek experience and in terrific form, it’s tough to see anything other than a Barcelona victory once again.
Think you know the score? Visit William Hill to bet on this match now.
Think you know the score? Visit William Hill to bet on this match now.
Results
Times In BST
Live
Final
scheduled
Suspended
Cancelled
Postponed
Match News
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lionel Messi Striker Barcelona |
46 | 4 |
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Cristiano Ronaldo Striker Real Madrid |
34 | 6 |
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Radamel Falcao Striker Atl. Madrid |
28 | 8 |
|
Roberto Soldado Striker Valencia |
21 | 5 |
|
Negredo Striker Sevilla |
20 | 3 |
