Real Sociedad Vs Barcelona: Live Score, Preview, Lineup, Telecast Details
| Date | Sunday, January 18, 2026 |
| Time | 01:30 AM IST (Monday) |
| Venue | Reale Arena, San Sebastián |
| Competition | La Liga |
🏟️ Leaders Visit Anoeta: Flick’s Flying Barca Face Resurgent La Real
Barcelona travels to the Basque Country this Sunday aiming for a staggering 12th consecutive victory in all competitions. Hansi Flick’s side currently sits four points clear at the top of La Liga and enters this fixture following a 2-0 Copa del Rey win over Racing Santander. The Catalan giants have already secured the Spanish Super Cup this season and look nearly unstoppable as they push to consolidate their league lead.
Real Sociedad, currently 11th in the table, has found a new spark under head coach Pellegrino Matarazzo. The American manager remains unbeaten in his first three matches, including a dramatic Copa del Rey penalty shootout win against Osasuna. While La Real has struggled with consistency at home this season, they famously defeated Barcelona 1-0 in this corresponding fixture last year and will be desperate for a repeat performance to climb into the top half.
- Event: La Liga Matchday 20
- Date: Sunday, January 18, 2026
- Time: 08:00 PM GMT (01:30 AM IST Monday)
- Venue: Reale Arena (Anoeta), San Sebastián
- Context: Barcelona seeks to maintain a perfect league record since late October against a rejuvenated Sociedad.
📊 Team Analysis & Form
Real Sociedad (Coach: Pellegrino Matarazzo, Form: W W D L L)
The appointment of Matarazzo has stabilized a squad that was previously just four points above the relegation zone. Sociedad has improved their late-game aggression and pressing, qualities that helped them secure four points from their last two league games against Atletico Madrid and Getafe. However, their home form remains a concern, with only three wins from nine matches at the Reale Arena this term.
Barcelona (Coach: Hansi Flick, Form: W W W W W)
Barcelona is experiencing its best winning run in a decade. Flick has successfully integrated a high defensive line and a clinical attacking system that has seen them score 53 goals in 19 matches. The Blaugrana have won their last four away games and will welcome back several key starters, including Frenkie de Jong and Pedri, who were rested in midweek.
⭐ Key Players
- Real Sociedad: Mikel Oyarzabal (Forward) - The captain has five goals this season and a history of scoring more against Barcelona than any other current teammate.
- Real Sociedad: Takefusa Kubo (Midfielder) - A creative engine averaging 2.1 dribbles per game, vital for exploiting space behind Barca's high line.
- Barcelona: Raphinha (Forward) - In blistering form with 8 goals and 3 assists in his last 11 games since returning from injury.
- Barcelona: Lamine Yamal (Winger) - The teenager continues to be a primary threat, leading the team with 7 assists this season.
🎯 The Key Battlegrounds
- The High Line vs. Counter: Oyarzabal and Guedes will look to exploit the space behind Barcelona's aggressive defensive line.
- Midfield Mastery: Frenkie de Jong and Pedri vs. Carlos Soler and Beñat Turrientes in a battle for possession control.
- Fatigue Factor: Sociedad played their Copa match a day earlier than Barcelona, potentially giving them a slight edge in freshness.
🔮 Prediction and Final Word
While Real Sociedad has shown marked improvement under Matarazzo, stopping this version of Barcelona is the toughest task in Spanish football right now. Barca has won 116 of the 197 previous meetings between these clubs and enters with a fully rested first-choice XI. Expect a close, tactical battle, but one where Barcelona's superior firepower eventually makes the difference.
Predicted Score: Real Sociedad 1–2 Barcelona
Can La Real end the streak at the Reale Arena, or will Flick's men march on toward the title? Kick-off is at 01:30 AM IST (Monday) tonight!
Would you like me to provide the confirmed starting lineups for Real Sociedad vs Barcelona as soon as they are officially announced?
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