Barcelona vs Real Sociedad: Preview, Free Tip & Prediction
14.08.2021 12:00
This year's La Liga campaign without star Lionel Messi will kick off for Barcelona on Sunday night when the Barcelona side takes on Real Sociedad at Camp Nou. After twenty-one years, Lionel Messi is leaving his beloved club for the star-studded PSG.
Background information, news and team form
Ronald Koeman's charges finished third in last season's Spanish top flight, seven points behind champions Atlético Madrid, while Real Sociedad finished fifth and secured their place in the Europa League group stage. Barcelona will have to do without their talisman Lionel Messi in their bid for a 27th league title. Barcelona's entire game was on the shoulders of the star Argentine after the successive departures of Xavi and Iniesta, and instead of preparing for Messi's eventual and inevitable departure, Barcelona will now have to hastily glue his place together. Despite the big financial problems at the club, Joan Laporte managed to bring in several players for free over the summer, including Memphis Depay and Eric Garcia, but the financial crisis at Barcelona is so abysmal that even a day before the game it is uncertain whether their salaries can fit into Barcelona's salary cap for the necessary registration for the opening La Liga game.
Real Sociedad finished fifth in La Liga last season, its highest finish since the 2012/13 season. It was 15 points behind fourth-placed Sevilla, but its impressive record of 17 wins, 11 draws and 10 defeats earned it 62 points, which secured its Europa League ticket. The team from San Sebastian also won the Copa Del Rey last year, which they sealed with a victory over local rival Athletic Bilbao. Imanol Alguacil's squad will be intent on repeating that success, which shouldn't be the problem with some minor additions to the squad and no departures of big stars.
Betdoin's view of the match
Although relations at Barcelona are still very tense after Messi's departure, it is still one of the best clubs in Spain and the bookmakers are pricing a win at odds of 1.74. Goals are rather more expected in this match, with the over 2.5 written at 1.6. If we look at our clever Betdoin algorithm, an away goal or a bet on the cards looks like an interesting option.
Absentees and estimated line-ups
Ronald Koeman will definitely have to do without Ousmane Dembele, Sergio Aguero, Oscar Minguez, Ansu Fati and number one goalkeeper Marco Ter Stegen.
Others likely unavailable are Frenkie de Jong and Clement Lenglet, who are recovering from niggling injuries. On the other hand, who the Dutch pilot will be able to count on is the returning Pedri from the Olympics.
As for Real Sociedad, according to the latest reports, Nacho Monreal, Mat Ryan and Carlos Fernandez will not be available.
Barcelona - estimated line-up:
Neto - Dest, Pique, Araujo, Alba - Roberto, Busquets, Pedri; - Memphis, Braithwaite, Griezmann
Real Sociedad - estimated line-up:
Remiro - Gorosabel, Elustondo, Le Normand, Zaldua - Zubimendi, Merino - Portu, D Silva, Oyarzabal; Isak
Free tip for Barcelona vs Real Sociedad - Barcelona over 1,5 Yellow Cards (1,67)
Frequently asked questions about the match Barcelona vs Real Sociedad:
Where can I watch Barcelona vs Real Sociedad live on TV? The match is live on Nova Sport 3.
What players to watch during the match? Memphis Depay, Griezmann, Isak
Who is the favorite for the match? According to the bookmakers, Barcelona is the favorite (1.71).
How did the last match between the two teams end? Real Sociedad 1:6 Barcelona, 21/03/2021.
What time does the match start? Kick-off at 20:00.
What stadium will the match be played in? Camp Nou (Barcelona)
Where can I find the match at Betdoin? Full statistics can be found here.
O autorovi
Michal Bartoň
Sledování sportovních aktivit a zjišťování statistik ho bavilo již od malička. Vše začalo fotbalem při obdržení prvního fotbalové dresu. Jak léta plynula, tak se k fotbalu postupně přidaly tenis, basketbal, zámořská MLB a dostihy. Při dovršení osmnáctých narozenin se rozhodl své znalosti zužikovat ve světě sázení. I přes počáteční neúspěchy, které ho neodradily se ze svých chyb poučil, a dnes k sázení přistupuje jako k investici, která ho dnes slušně živí.