Barcelona vs Real Sociedad prediction: SPAIN: LaLiga betting tips on match 2024-05-12 19:00.
[p]Barcelona took the lead twice in the first half against Girona last weekend, but eventually fell to a 4-2 Catalan derby loss to drop to third in the La Liga standings. It was a third defeat in four matches across all competitions (W1) for Xavi’s men, who now have four games to finish second, which would bag a place in next season’s Spanish Super Cup and is needed to address their perennial off-field financial problems.[/p]
[p]Playing at their temporary home, Estadi OlĂmpic LluĂs Companys, should boost hopes of a win, as Barcelona have won five of their last six league matches there (D1). The arrival of European-chasing Real Sociedad might not be bad news either, as Barça have lost just one of their last 15 top-flight H2Hs (W12, D2), although it came in last season’s game at Camp Nou. [/p]
[p]Going into this round of fixtures, Sociedad are clinging on to sixth spot – a battle which could go down to the wire with Real Betis breathing down their neck. La Real are doing their bit to stay ahead, having lost just once in their last seven matches (W4, D2), and it’s their defensive solidity that’s keeping them in the hunt, as, prior to this weekend, only Real Madrid and Athletic Club have conceded fewer goals than the Basque outfit (35) during this league campaign.[/p]
[p]Their away form has also improved, with three wins from their last five trips (D1, L1), something that Sociedad will hope continues, as they chase back-to-back top-flight victories on the road against Barcelona for the very first time after that famous 2-1 triumph last season. That win ended a run of 24 consecutive away H2H La Liga losses and the visitors will hope that they can create another slice of history here.[/p]
[p]Players to watch: Raphinha has been all-action for Barcelona since the March international break, registering six goal involvements in his last seven matches (G4, A2). Visiting Catalunya no doubt brings back happy memories for Mikel Merino, who opened the scoring in Sociedad’s 2-1 H2H win last season, although his recent contributions have been two yellow cards across three games.[/p]
[p]Hot stat: Ahead of this round, Barça have won a league-high 15 points in matches in which they have trailed at half-time in 2023/24 (W4, D3, L2).[/p]