Scott Brown & Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi scored a brace as Barcelona beat Celtic 2-0 at Parkhead Reuters

Barcelona will look to keep pace with La Liga leaders Real Madrid when they travel to Anoeta to take on Real Sociedad on 26 November.

Where to watch live

Kick-off is set for 7.45pm GMT. The game will be broadcast live on Sky Sports 1 HD.

Overview

Xavier Prieto, David Zurutuza and Inigo Martinez all scored to help Real Sociedad beat Sporting Gijon 3-1 at El Molinon on 20 November – the Basque club's fourth successive league win. La Real are on a seven-game unbeaten run against Barcelona at Anoeta.

Eusebio Sacristan has no fresh injury concerns. Midfielder Ruben Pardo remains absent with a thigh injury.

Lionel Messi scored twice as Barcelona returned to winning ways by beating Celtic in the Champions League in midweek. The Catalan giants have lost two of their last five away matches in all competitions.

Andres Iniesta (knee), Samuel Umtiti (hamstring) and Jeremy Mathieu (calf) all remain sidelined through injury for the visitors.

What managers say

Eusebio Sacristan: "We are in a great moment and the team spirit is fantastic. We have experience in previous years when we have been the better team in matches yet have lost, but this team is better than it was a year ago and we have the opportunity to keep improving. It was key to stop Sporting's counter attack – we controlled the game and it was crucial we did not become complacent or leave ourselves too open. I'm very proud of the performance."

Luis Enrique: "It wouldn't be logical if we didn't notice the absence of the world's best player. But that doesn't mean that we haven't got solutions for [Lionel Messi's] absence. Just take a look at previous occasions. I'm optimistic of having Iniesta and Umtiti back for El Clasico. Iniesta has joined the group, as has Samuel, and their recovery will be decided by the players and the doctors."

Form guide

  • Real Sociedad: WWWWD
  • Last result: Sporting Gijon 1-3 Real Sociedad
  • Barcelona (all competitions): WDWLW
  • Last result: Celtic 0-2 Barcelona (Champions League)

Betting odds (Betfair)

  • Real Sociedad win: 5/1
  • Draw: 15/4
  • Barcelona win: 11/20

Team news

Real Sociedad possible XI: Rulli; C Martinez, Navas, I Martinez, Yuri; Prieto, Illarramendi, Zurutuza; Vela, Jose, Oyarzabal

Barcelona possible XI: Ter Stegen; Roberto, Pique, Mascherano, Alba; Rakitic, Busquets, Gomes; Messi, Suarez, Neymar

Barcelona