Barcelona will face Real Sociedad on Sunday at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on Saturday, with safety concerns continuing to delay their Camp Nou return.
Hansi Flick's side come into this contest after a 3-1 comeback win over Real Oviedo, which extended their unbeaten run to five matches.
Real Sociedad travel to Barcelona following a narrow 1-0 win against Mallorca with Mikel Oyarzabal's 49th-minute goal lifting the home side after a 3-1 loss to Real Betis.
Sergio Francisco's team has have only one of their six L Liga games and defensive injuries, including Aritz Elustondo's rib problem, have complicated their preparations.
Barcelona have won eight of their past 10 meetings with Sociedad, with their last game ending in a 4-0 win for the Catalan side.
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Barcelona vs. Real Sociedad lineups: Predicted starting XI, team news, injury latest
Barcelona will head into the clash against Real Sociedad with some key absences, particularly in goal.
Joan Garcia has been ruled out for for more than a month with a meniscus injury, and with Marc-Andre ter Stegen still unavailable with a back injury not expected back until December, Wojciech Szczesny will get his first game of the season.
Lamine Yamal has missed Catalan side's last four matches due to a groin problem, but the Spain international has a chance of playing some minutes against Real Sociedad this weekend. He may well be needed given Raphinha has been ruled out for around three weeks with a hamstring strain.
In midfield, Gavi is sidelined until late February following arthroscopic surgery to resolve a meniscus injury in his right knee. Fermin Lopez is targeting mid-October after a muscle setback.
Alejandro Balde is working his way back from a hamstring issue and could get some minutes if Flick decides to go that route. Robert Lewandowski may start on the bench and Ferran Torres given a starting spot, particularly with a Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain looming next week.
Barcelona predicted starting XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): Szczesny (GK) — E. Garcia, Araujo, Cubarsi, Martin — Casado, Pedri — Lamine Yamal, Olmo, Rashford — F. Torres
Injured: Gavi (knee), Ter Stegen (back), Joan Garcia (knee), Raphinha (hamstring), Balde (hamstring, doubt), Lopez (muscle), Lamine Yamal (groin, doubt)
Suspended: None
Real Sociedad approach the clash with Barcelona carrying notable injury concerns that may impact their selection.
Striker Orri Oskarsson is ruled out with a muscle problem, while midfielder Yangel Herrera is sidelined with a similar issue and is not expected back until October 17.
Defender Aritz Elustondo suffered a rib injury in the 3-1 loss to Real Betis and did not feature in the win over Mallorca, and he is also unlikely to return in time for the meeting with Barcelona.
Sociedad though have a competitive core available. Alex Remiro should continue in goal, protected by a back four of Jon Aramburu, Igor Zubeldia, Duje Caleta-Car and Sergio Gomez. Brais Mendez, Jon Gorrotxategi and Carlos Soler are set to form the midfield three, with Takefusa Kubo and Ander Barrenetxea flanking Mikel Oyarzabal in attack.
Real Sociedad predicted starting XI (4-3-3, right to left): Remiro (GK) — Aramburu, Zubeldia, Caleta-Car, Gomez — Mendez, Gorrotxategi, Soler — Kubo, Oyarzabal, Barrenetxea
Injured: Oskarsson (muscle), Herrera (muscle), Elustondo (rib)
Suspended: None
Barcelona vs. Real Sociedad match details
- Date: Sunday, September 28, 2025
- Kickoff time: 6:30 p.m. local time / 9:30 p.m. IST
- Location: Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, Barcelona (Spain)
- Competition: La Liga
- Referee: TBD
- VAR: TBD
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