Real Sociedad vs Barcelona Prediction & Betting Tips (18 January)

Real Sociedad secured their ticket to the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey this week by beating Osasuna at the end of the penalty shootout. Very good news for the Basque team which has still not lost in 2026, including a draw against Atlético Madrid at home 1-1 and a success at Getafe still in the championship 1-2. In the rankings, Sociedad only occupies 11th place, 8 lengths from the top 6. Since its defeat in October against Real Madrid at the Bernabéu 2-1, Barcelona has taken the bull by the horns by winning all of its matches in the league, a total of 9 games.

The last two successes to date were written away, on the lawns of Villarreal 0-2 and Espanyol Barcelona 0-2. In the process, the Culers participated in the Spanish Super Cup and achieved the back-to-back by defeating Athletic Bilbao in the semi-final 5-0 and Real Madrid in the final 3-2. In all competitions, Barcelona, ​​leader of La Liga, has won its last 11 matches played including its great victory on the pitch of Racing Santander 0-2 this week in the 1/8th final of the Copa del Rey. 

At Real Sociedad, Ruperez, Karrikaburu and Venezuelan international midfielder Yangel Herrera will be out due to injury. On the bench against Getafe, Mikel Goti was not on the scoresheet in the Copa del Rey and he could be missing. A possible relapse should also be reported for the Icelandic Oskarsson. Aside from that, Spanish international Mikel Oyarzabal (5 goals, 3 assists in La Liga) will be in the group as will former Parisians Carlos Soler and Goncalo Guedes without forgetting winger Kubo and attacking midfielder Brais Mendez (4 goals, 2 assists). Hansi Flick (coach) should once again leave Marc-André ter Stegen on the bench (injured), just like Gavi (convalescent) and defender Andreas Christensen who has a series of injury relapses. The German goalkeeper (ter-Stegen) should also join the Girona club shortly in the form of a 6-month loan. On the other hand, the man of the Spanish Super Cup, Raphinha (4 goals, 1 assist in the 2 matches) will be there as will the jewel of Masia Lamine Yamal (7 goals, 7 assists in La Liga) without forgetting the two number 9s, Ferran Torres (11 goals in La Liga) and Robert Lewandowski (9 goals in La Liga).

Recently, Portuguese full-back Joao Cancelo returned to Catalonia from Saudi Arabia (Al-Hilal).Probable lineups for Real Sociedad - FC Barcelona:Real Sociedad: Remiro - Aramburu, Martin, Caleta-Car, Gomez - Kubo, Soler, Turrientes, Guedes - Mendez, Oyarzabal.FC Barcelona: J.Garcia - Koundé, Cubarsi, Martin, Baldé - De Jong, E. Garcia - Yamal, Raphinha, Rashford - Torres.