2:00 pm
August 15

Spanish Primera Division: Real Sociedad @ Barcelona

What will be the match result?

Real Sociedad: Win or Draw

@ Barcelona: Win

 

Current odds:

Real Sociedad: Win or Draw: (+120)

Barcelona: Win: (-163)

 

• Barca come into this one with the noise of the Messi saga still ringing in their ears and a financial crisis that has left the club rocked to its core, but Ronald Koeman and his men must push on as they look to improve on last season, when they fell out of the title race down the stretch. This is still an ultra-talented Barca squad, though, it may not look that way on the opening day given injuries to the likes of Ansu Fati and Sergio Aguero. Still, the Blaugrana have a squad capable of beating most teams in La Liga, and there is real pressure here to kick off with a bang following Messi’s exit.

• A difficult Real Sociedad stand in Barca’s way. La Real took fifth spot last season after a very impressive campaign when they also won the Copa del Rey from the season before, after the final was delayed. As many will have seen during Euro 2020, Alexander Isak is the one to watch. He will start up top for Real Sociedad, while Mikel Merino and Mikel Oyarzabal are also eye-catching players, but this will be a difficult for them given they have only had a couple of days rest from the Olympics.

• Barcelona should have enough to pull through here due to the injuries and fatigue Real Sociedad have to key players. Home win.

5/10
Confidence
StreakSmarter Pick
Barcelona: Win
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