Predicted squads Real Sociedad-Barcelona: Lamine Yamal rested, Ansu Fati earns rare start

Real Madrid's win against Osasuna on Saturday cut Barcelona's lead at the top of La Liga to six points, although that nine-point buffer can be restored on Sunday night when the Catalans face Real Sociedad in Real Arena.

Barcelona have won their last seven games in all competitions, and they hope to make it eight before the last international break in 2024. MarcoHansi Flick has planned a number of changes from the side that defeated Crvena Zvedza in midweek.

The big one will see Lamine Yamal fall to the bench, as he suffers with minor discomfort. Ansu Fati would be his replacement, while Fermin Lopez would come in for Frenkie de Jong, who made his first start in more than six months during the week. Also, Alejandro Balde will return in place of Gerard Martin.

La Real was also in midweek action, losing 2-1 at Viktoria Plzen. Imanol Alguacil is expected to make just one change from that team, with Brais Mendez returning in place of Orri Oskarsson.

Royal Society may have had a rough start to the 2024-25 season, but of Barcelona The task of winning in Donostia-San Sebastian will not be easier because of that. The match promises to be very competitive.