Thursday's La Liga match predictions: reeling Barca may not break down Sociedad

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for the La Liga action on Thursday.

Where to watch

Real Sociedad v Barcelona
Premier Sports 1 & LaLigaTV, Thursday 8.30pm

Best bet

Under 2.5 goals in Real Sociedad v Barcelona 8.30pm
1pt 17-20 Hills

Espanyol to beat Rayo Vallecano 6pm
1pt 6-4 general

Match preview

Barcelona had been much improved under Xavi but back-to-back defeats, against Eintracht Frankfurt to knock them out of the Europa League and Cadiz, have left them reeling.

They face a Real Sociedad team who have been in solid form since their own European departure at the hands of RB Leipzig and are looking to make a late run into the top four.

Sociedad are the lowest scorers in the top half of La Liga, with just 32 goals in as many games this season. However, they have been solid defensively, only Sevilla and Real Madrid have conceded less than Imanol Alguacil’s men.

Four of Sociedad’s last five games have gone under 2.5 goals and with Barcelona struggling in recent weeks, it may be sensible to side with another cagey affair.

The Catalan club are rebuilding but don’t seem to have landed on their best front three and two of their last three league games have seen two or fewer goals.

Rayo Vallecano may have done just enough in the early part of the season to stay up but their recent form has left plenty to be desired. They have lost nine of their last 13 games and drawn the other three.

Vallecano’s away form has been particularly poor, taking just six points from a possible 45 on the road. They visit Espanyol looking to turn that record around but the hosts are a similarly Jekyll and Hyde team home and away.

Espanyol have recorded nine of their ten wins at home and lost just three of their 16 ties in their own backyard. Vincente Moreno’s men have won three on the bounce at RCDE Stadium and are taken for another against the poor travelling Vallecano.

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