FC Barcelona returns to action this Sunday, January 18th, in LaLiga EA Sports 2025/26, visiting Real Sociedad. After competing in the Spanish Super Cup in Arabia, Hansi Flick's team begins the second half of the tournament as leaders, already with a title this season and on a great streak.

  • 📺 Where and when to watch the match on TV: channels broadcasting Real Sociedad-Barcelona LIVE WATCH

Barça achieves 9 consecutive league victories, all by a minimum margin of 2 goals, and will regain a 4-point lead over Real Madrid if they win at Anoeta. Real, on the other hand, has moved out of the relegation zone after Pellegrino Matarazzo's arrival on the bench and remains in 13th place in the table with 21 points, 28 fewer than the Catalans (49).

  • 👉 Lineups: Possible starting XIs for Real Sociedad and FC Barcelona: SEE

Barça visits Anoeta, one of the two stadiums where they fell last season

Beyond the differences in operation and performance of both teams, Barcelona considers Anoeta a high-risk visit on the calendar. Last season, Flick's team only lost two away games: against Osasuna (4-2) and against Real Sociedad (1-0).

This last one, a match decided controversially after a legal goal by Robert Lewandowski was disallowed and a goal by Sheraldo Becker in the first half. In 24/25, Barça only lost to **Sevilla** (4-1) and **Real Madrid** (2-1), the result of the Clásico prior to the streak of 9 consecutive victories that remains active.

LAST 5 MATCHES OF BARÇA AND REAL SOCIEDAD
W BARÇA REAL SOCIEDAD W
W 🟢 0-2 vs Racing* 2-2, 4-3 p. vs Osasuna* L 🟢
CN🟢 3-2 vs Real Madrid* 1-2 vs Getafe W 🟢
CN🟢 5-0 vs Athletic* 1-1 vs Atlético L 🟡
W 🟢 0-2 vs Espanyol 1-1 vs Levante W 🟡
W 🟢 0-2 vs Villarreal 1-2 vs Eldense* W 🟢
  • *Super Cup/Copa del Rey match
  • H: Home
  • L: Local
  • A: Away
  • N: neutral ground

The locals, for their part, are coming off a victory against Getafe last matchday (1-2) and, in the Copa del Rey, they came back from a 0-2 deficit against Osasuna to force extra time and penalties, where they ultimately advanced (2-2, 4-3 on penalties). In the first leg, there was a narrow victory for the Blaugrana at Montjuïc (2-1), with goals from Jules Koundé and Lewandowski to overturn Odriozola's opening goal

Hansi Flick will bet on his gala XI against Real Sociedad, except for one doubt

Robert Lewandowski during Barcelona 2-1 Real Sociedad

With matchday 20 of LaLiga approaching, Hansi Flick will have practically the entire squad available. The only injury absences are **Pablo Gavi** and **Andreas Christensen**, while Raphinha is a doubt after a knock suffered during the visit to Racing.

In principle, the Brazilian would go to the bench, being the only one of the usual starters who would not be in the XI. Joan García will remain in goal, while Koundé and Balde should be the full-backs, with João Cancelo now available on the bench. In the center, **Eric García**, a pivot at El Sardinero, could return alongside Pau Cubarsí.

The midfield would regain Frenkie de Jong, who was suspended for the Copa del Rey, alongside Pedri and Fermín. Up front, **Rashford** would take Raphinha's place alongside **Lamine Yamal**. The surprise in the lineup could be **Lewandowski**, although Flick has been frequently alternating the Pole with Ferran Torres

Barça must win in San Sebastián to give Real Madrid no breathing room

For Barça, beyond the winning streak and the excellent feelings left in recent weeks (eleven consecutive victories in all competitions), there is no room to ease off the accelerator. Real Madrid beat Levante (2-0) and the Catalans must do the same at Anoeta to keep the 'merengues' 4 points behind.

The calendar will offer no respite in the final stretch of January, with two league matchdays and another pair in the Champions League still to be played. The Blaugrana team will not return to the Spotify Camp Nou until next Saturday against Oviedo (4:15 PM), after more than a month on the road with 8 matches, of which 2 are still to be played