La Liga Matchday 15 Preview: Can Real Sociedad Pull Off Shock At Barcelona?

Barcelona vs Real Sociedad (Sunday)

If ever there was a time to face Barcelona, Real Sociedad will surely feel that Sunday night is not it. Barca are on an astounding run of fives games, 21 goals scored, 0 conceded. Scary statistics indeed, especially when you throw in a 5-0 win over Real Madrid and a mammoth 0-8 thrashing of Almeria. The Catalans will be without Jeffren who strained a stomach muscle in the midweek Champions League tie against Rubin Kazan, but both Seydou Keita and Bojan make returns to the first-team squad. With the exception of Espanyol, Real Sociedad have been this seasons surprise package and enter the match in sixth place in the league. Both manager Martin Lasarte and star midfielder Xabi Prieto have stated that anything is possible in football, and Hercules proved it with their win at the Camp Nou earlier in the season. Catch Barcelona on an off-day and they might spring a surprise but the odds are heavily stacked against them.

Real Zaragoza vs Real Madrid (Sunday)

On paper this match is a one-way contest, but Javier Aguirre will be hoping that Sunday evenings match can be a springboard for his Real Zaragoza side. Languishing at the foot of La Liga, Zaragoza have suffered a torrid start to the season with a paltry nine points to show from 14 matches. Aguirre appears set to ring the changes in his starting XI, with Jorge Lopez to replace Angel Lafita and Obradovic and Contini replacing Paredes and Lanzaro at the back. For Real Madrid, Karim Benzema enters the match on a high after his Champions League hattrick against Auxurre while Gonzalo Higuain continues to recover from injury. Apart from the Argentine striker, Madrid will take a fully-fit squad across to La Romareda and with only four losses in the stadium in the last 25 years, it will take a superhuman effort from La Ligas bottom club to overcome Mourinhos men,

Getafe vs Villarreal (Saturday)

Villarreal will aim to consolidate third place in La Liga with the visit of Getafe, but they will have to do so without the services of Guiseppe Rossi who misses out through suspension. With Jose Altidore and Ruben waiting in the wings, manager Juan Carlos Garrido will most probably switch to a 4-2-3-1 formation with deadly Brazilian Nilmar at the tip of a fearsome foursome with Borja Valero, Cani and Santi Cazorla. Getafe aim to play a similar style as the Yellow Submarine, based in one-touch attacking football, but without their midfield enforcer Boateng they will be left exposed in the middle of the park. Much will depend on in-form winger Pedro Rios who has scored four in his last three outings and striker Miku who is yet to find his feet at El Coliseum. Nevertheless, having recuperated their best form in their last three league ties, Michels team will welcome Villarreal with high hopes.

Sevilla vs Almeria (Saturday)

Sevilla enter this match desperate for a win after three league defeats on the bounce. In theory, it couldn’t really get much easier for Gregorio Manzano, with Almeria in the midst of a crisis which has seen them drop to second bottom in the table and has also seen Juanma Lillo sacked. Now with ex-Tenerife coach Jose Luis Oltra in charge, the Red and Whites will want to set upon a run of results that will see them jump out of the drop zone after nine matches without a win. As always they will look to keeper Diego Lopez and young attacking midfielder Pablo Piatti to inspire them to victory. Sevilla will be without influential winger Diego Perotti and long-term injury victim Jesus Navas, so Manzano will look to Diego Capel and Alfaro to give his side their customary speed on the wings. With Luis Fabiano injured, Frederic Kanoute and Alvaro Negredo will take on goalscoring duties upfront.

Atletico Madrid vs Deportivo La Coruña (Saturday)

If Atletico Madrid want to continue their push for a Champions League spot, victory against Depor is imperative. ‘Los Rojiblancos’ enter the tie on the back of a horror show at Levante where they lost to one of the leagues supposedly weaker teams 2-0. But more than the result, it was the dire nature of the performance that will have irritated Quique Sanchez Flores most. Sergio Agüero and Diego Forlan offered little upfront, while the back four looked suspect with every attack. Diego Godin endured a night to forget last weekend and is set to be replaced by Alvaro Dominguez as the young defender enters Quiques plans once more. Partnered by Perea and flanked by ex-Depor full-back Filipe Luis and Ujfalusi, Quique will be hoping his side can regain some defensive solidity against a team renowned for their strength at the back. With his famous 5-4-1 formation, Miguel Angel Lotina has turned around Depors fortunes after a shocking start, and are sitting comfortably in mid-table, even without the services of Guardado and striker Riki.

Weekends other matches:

Sporting Gijon vs Levante (Sunday)

Hercules vs Malaga (Sunday)

Mallorca vs Racing Santander (Sunday)

Athletic Bilbao vs Espanyol (Sunday)

Valencia vs Osasuna (Monday)