About this Event
StREAMS@#! r.E.d.d.i.t-BARCELONA V R.E.A.L SOCIEDAD LIVE ON 21 AUG 2022
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LIVE HERE????
Real Sociedad: The club started the season off with a fine 1-0 win at Cadiz where they dictated the pace, dominated possession and had their way at times. Now they need to keep going on that path where they keep the ball centrally and look to play long balls over the top. Barça's can lack organization at times, and with fullbacks who push forward, Real Sociedad can exploit those spaces and win this match.
Barça: A poor opening match leaves them hungry, wanting to show their potential in what could be a tricky contest. Expect them to play a bit more direct, though you will still see the ball on the wing plenty. It comes down to simply putting away their chances they will inevitably create, but another stumble and the questions will increase. Midfielder Sergio Busquets is suspended for the match after picking up a red card in the opener.
Despite a prolific preseason and a host of new attacking weapons at their disposal, the Blaugrana were blanked at home against Rayo Vallecano in a 0-0 draw last week. Recently acquired Robert Lewandowski has yet to get off the mark in the Spanish top flight, but could do so on the road this weekend.
Real Sociedad finished sixth in La Liga last season and are sure to present another defensive challenge for the Barcelona front line, which is still building chemistry.
Real Sociedad are missing striker Mikel Oyarzabal who continues to recover from an ACL tear, leaving Aleksandar Isak as the main man up front.
They also lost defender Diego Rico last weekend to a hamstring injury, the third for the club with Alex Sola and Carlos Hernandez also sidelined with similar problems. Aihen Munoz could come in at left-back to replace Rico.
Otherwise, it's unlikely that manager Imanol Alguacil will chop and change, knowing David Silva could be key to helping open up Barcelona at the back.
Real Sociedad projected starting lineup (4-2-3-1): Remiro (GK) — Munoz, Le Normand, Zubeldia, Elustondo — Zubimendi, Merino — Mendez, Silva, Kubo — Isak.
The only player in the Barcelona squad unavailable for this match is midfielder Sergio Busquets who was sent off in the dying minutes of last week's 0-0 draw with Rayo Vallecano. Busquets will miss just the one match after receiving his marching orders for a second yellow card.
New signing Jules Kounde has yet to be registered by the club as they navigate the well-documented financial issues, hoping to offload some of the squad's salaries before the player registration deadline at the end of the month.
Otherwise, the entire Barcelona playing group is available for selection. Franck Kessie could be the option to replace the suspended Busquets, or one of Sergi Roberto or Miralem Pjanic could be options there as well.
How to watch and odds
Date: Sunday, Aug. 21 | Time: 4 p.m. ET
Location: Reale Arena -- San Sebastian, Spain
TV: None | Live stream: ESPN+
Odds: Real Sociedad +235; Draw +260; Barca +110 (via Caesars Sportsbook)
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Union Station, 50 Massachusetts Avenue Northeast, Washington, D.C., United States
USD 43.00