Real Sociedad vs Barcelona predictions and betting tips – Blaugrana seek to increase lead

Xabi Alonso’s sacking as Real Madrid manager has left the Blancos in a state of flux. Barcelona, their arch-rivals and fellow title contenders, will be determined to take advantage over the coming weeks.

A trip to Real Sociedad will not be a walkover, though, and Barcelona must ensure they are fully focused on this game. Which way will it go?

• Go for a Barcelona win and over 2.5 goals – 10/11 with 247Bet
• Tip Barcelona to win the second half – 17/20 with BetMGM
• Choose Raphinha to score any time – 10/11 with SBK

Real Sociedad vs Barcelona odds

Find the latest Real Sociedad vs Barcelona betting odds here. All odds are provided by our recommended football bookmakers and are subject to change.

Real Sociedad vs Barcelona predictions

Such is the long-lasting dichotomy of Spanish football, it is hard to speak about Barcelona without also discussing Real Madrid.

And so this week’s sacking of Xabi Alonso was news not only in the capital of Spain but in the capital of Catalonia too.

Alonso has seemingly been on the brink of the sack for weeks now, and a defeat by Barcelona last Sunday was the final straw.

Hansi Flick’s side beat Madrid 3-2 in the final of the Supercopa de Espana, claiming the first piece of silverware of the season.

Alonso had previously overseen a victory over Barcelona, with Madrid winning 2-1 in La Liga back in late October. Since then, however, the Blancos’ form collapsed while Barca’s moved in the opposite direction.

Indeed, over the last two and a half months the Blaugrana have been perfect domestically. Each of their nine league games since the Clasico have ended with Barcelona celebrating a victory.

They have also successfully negotiated two Copa del Rey ties in that time, in addition to their aforementioned triumph in the Supercopa in Saudi Arabia.

Because this is Barcelona, one of the most highly pressurised clubs in Europe, there has still been criticism of the team, mostly in the Champions League. 

Fifteenth in the league phase with two rounds of fixtures remaining, it looks like Flick’s men will have to settle for a place in the play-offs.

In La Liga, though, Barcelona have established themselves as odds-on favourites to win the title. With Madrid now having to embark on a new direction following Alonso’s exit, Barca will look to press home their advantage in the weeks ahead.

“The mentality of this team is incredible,” Flick said after the Supercopa final, lavishing praise on his squad. 

“We deserve it as all the players have battled for the team, for the badge and for the fans, 100 percent. That’s the key, and the confidence we have.”

Relative to expectations, Real Sociedad are having a disappointing campaign. Sixth in 2023/24, they dipped to 11th last term but were aiming to be among the European contenders this time around.

They still might be, but for now la Real are in the bottom half and they have plenty of work to do to get into the European conversation. This is a game Barcelona ought to be winning.

Real Sociedad vs Barcelona betting tips

Barcelona resume their La Liga title tilt against Real Sociedad on Sunday night.

Barcelona to march on

Barcelona remain a front-foot, attacking team under Flick, but the manager will be delighted with the fact his side have kept three clean sheets on the bounce in La Liga.

Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Villarreal have still conceded fewer goals than Barcelona, but the latter have generally tightened up at the back of late.

However, Barca’s league matches this term are still averaging 3.84 goals per 90 minutes, and there have been over 2.5 goals in 79 percent of their fixtures.

Goals are therefore on the cards at the Reale Arena. Expect at least three in a game which sees Barcelona emerge triumphant for the 10th time in a row in La Liga.

Go for a Barcelona win and over 2.5 goals at 10/11 with 247Bet

Barca will come on strong

Relatively speaking, Barcelona have been a little iffy in the first half of matches this term.

Barca have been ahead at the interval in just 10 of their 19 games to date. Both Real Madrid and Villarreal have better records than the Catalans between the first and 45th minutes. 

On the flip side, Flick’s team tends to come on strong after the break. Barcelona have won 15 out of 19 second halves, four more than any other team in the division.

Even if they are able to hold their own against Barca in the opening period, Real Sociedad will struggle to do so for the entire match.

Tip Barcelona to win the second half at 17/20 with BetMGM

Raphinha to score again

It feels like a long time ago now, but Raphinha actually had a pretty difficult start to his Barcelona career. 

Back then, few would have envisaged the Brazil international becoming arguably the team’s most important player.

That categorisation is up for debate, but there is no doubt that Raphinha is one of the best forwards in the world right now.

He notched a brace against Real Madrid in the final of the Supercopa, moving onto 11 goals in 17 games in 2025/26. Raphinha can add another one to his tally this weekend.

Choose Raphinha to score any time at 10/11 with SBK

Real Sociedad vs Barcelona predicted lineups

• Real Sociedad expected lineup: Remiro; Gomez, Caleta-Car, Martin, Aramburu; Guedes, Soler, Zakharyan, Kubo; Oyarzabal, Mendez.
• Barcelona expected lineup: J. Garcia; Kounde, Cubarsi, E. Garcia, Balde; Pedri, De Jong; Yamal, Lopez, Raphinha; Lewandowski.

Where to watch Real Sociedad vs Barcelona

• Location: Reale Arena, San Sebastian, Spain.
• Date and time: Sunday 18th January, 8pm.
• How to watch: Premier Sports 2.

More La Liga predictions

We have plenty more La Liga predictions and picks – find our latest betting tips from expert punters in our match preview overview.

About the author

Greg Lea

Greg Lea is a freelance football writer from London. He predominantly covers the Premier League and has had work published by the Guardian, FourFourTwo, ESPN and others.

Follow Greg on X: @GregLeaFootball

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