The home side is currently in 10th position on the league table with 38 points from 31 games, while the visitors are top of the standings, with 76 points from 31 games.
A win for the underdogs could see them up to 8th place, while a defeat could leave them lying in 12th position by the end of the match day. The favorites will retain their position at the top of the division regardless of the outcome of this encounter.
Real Sociedad mid table mediocrityReal Soceidad are in that part of the table where they are too far behind to realistically challenge for the European places, but too far ahead to worry about relegation. The team is already mentally on holidays and this has been evident in too many of their recent games.
Los Txuri-Urdi, manged by Eusebio Sacristan, are in poor form, with one win, one draw and three defeats in their last five games in all competitions. This single win was against Sevilla in their most recent outing (1-2 on April 3).
The underdogs could only manage to draw against Levante (1-1 on March 6), but suffered defeats at the hands of Athletico Madrid (3-0 on March 1), Celta Vigo (1-0 on March 13), and Las Palmas UD (0-1 on March 19).
Barcelona hoping to bounce backHaving lost their 39 game unbeaten streak to a Cristiano Ronaldo goal last time out, the Catalans will be hoping to get back to winning ways as quickly as possible. Their lead at the top of the table is currently 6 points, and they will be looking to wrap up the title as quickly as possible.
The league leaders, managed by Luis Enrique are in good form with three wins, one draw and one defeat in their last five games in all competitions. These wins include a league victory against Getafe in the league (6-0 on March 12), and Champions League victories against Arsenal (3-1 on March 16), and Athletico Madrid (2-1 on April 5).
The treble holders could only manage a draw in their recent game against Villarreal (2-2 on March 20), but suffered defeat to fierce rivals Real Madrid (1-2 on April 2).
The forwards might get most of the credit, but most of the grunt work to make this Barcelona team function is done by the duo of Ivan Rakitic and Sergio Busquetts.
Both players didn’t have the best of games against Real Madrid, and will be looking to bounce back in this game. Jeronimo Rulli will have to have the game of his life if he is to keep the MSN from finding the back of the game in this fixture. Real Sociedad’s chances of getting anything in this game will be directly linked to the performance of their goalkeeper on the day.
Real Sociedad are playing like a team with nothing to play for, and this might be a danger against the firepower of Barcelona. Barcelona to win this game comfortably.