How will Barcelona line up against Real Sociedad in their next La Liga match?

Barcelona return to the Montjuïc Olympic Stadium for the first time in four months as the Catalans welcome Real Sociedad for their next La Liga match.

The Blaugrana have a perfect record since the international break and will look for a fourth straight win in the league, but will face a longtime rival and historically tough opponent while also having to deal with a serious injury crisis just three days before a monster European night against PSG.

Here’s how we think Hansi Flick will line up his troops for Sunday’s battle.

Defense

Barça have a major injury crisis to deal with for this one, with Joan Garcia and Raphinha added to the list of absences a day after the win against Oviedo. There is some potential good news as Alejandro Balde and Lamine Yamal are expected back in the squad for Sunday, but Flick won’t have too many options to work with for this one.

Wojciech Szczesny is back in goal for at least the next month while Garcia recovers from knee surgery, and the Pole will likely play behind a back four of Jules Kounde, Ronald Araujo, Pau Cubarsí and Gerard Martín. Eric Garcia and Andreas Christensen are also in contention to start, while Balde will come off the bench to build some rhythm for the PSG game.

Midfield

Frenkie de Jong was brilliant in his substitute cameo against Oviedo with 45 sublime minutes off the bench in the second half, and we think the Dutchman will return to his usual starting spot alongside Pedri in the double pivot. The injuries to Fermín López and Raphinha eliminate any contention for the number 10 spot as of now, so Dani Olmo will keep his place in the XI on Sunday.

Attack

Lamine Yamal will be back in the squad this weekend but the plan will be for him to be ready to start against PSG, so the teenager is expected to come off the bench in this one. And with Raphinha also out, there are two options for the right wing spot: Roony Bardghji, who played well in his only appearance of the season against Valencia two weeks ago, and Marcus Rashford, who has played on the right in the last two games and will probably start in that spot for this one.

Robert Lewandowski will most likely start up top with few attacking options available, so Ferran Torres will move to the left wing to face La Real.

Possible XI: Szczesny; Kounde, Araujo, Cubarsí, Martín; De Jong, Pedri; Rashford, Olmo, Ferran; Lewandowski (4-2-3-1)

How do you think Barcelona should line up against Real Sociedad? Let us know your thoughts, predictions and teams in the comments below!