Real Sociedad vs. Barcelona: Issues and Decisions That Will Shape La Liga Game

Real Sociedad host Barcelona in the first game of 2015 and it's shaping up to be a classic.

It's David Moyes' first chance to test himself against one of La Liga's "big boys" and all eyes will be focused on whether the Scot can mastermind a shock result that will throw the title race wide open.

The Catalans have already struggled against teams from the lower end of the table this season. Will using a 25th successive different starting line-up be a recipe for success for Luis Enrique?

Or will the Anoeta prove to be Barca's graveyard once again?

Let's take a look at some issues and decisions that may shape the game.

The Jinx of the Anoeta Stadium

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Barcelona rarely play well in San Sebastian.

If there's one ground where Barcelona struggle to get a result, it's at the Anoeta Stadium.

May 2007 was the last time the Catalans won there in La Liga, with Sociedad scoring three times in the last two fixtures on home turf, per Fussball Wettpoint.

In both of those games Barca weren't behind at half-time yet faded in the second halves to allow the home side to take all three points.

After a winter break both teams should be fully refreshed and tiredness should not be a factor in any result.

Neither Side Can Afford to Drop Points

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Barca need to continue their good recent form.

This is a match with more than just pride riding on the outcome of the result. For differing reasons, both teams are in need of the three points.

Barca may only be a point behind table-toppers Real Madrid, but Los Blancos do have a game in hand.

With Atletico Madrid next up for Barca after this one, dropped points here could be crucial in whether they can retain a genuine interest in a title challenge.

Despite an improvement since David Moyes has taken charge, Sociedad languish in 14th place, just two points above third from bottom. The need for a win for the home side is therefore blindingly obvious.

The David Moyes Effect

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The Sociedad players have responded to David Moyes' appointment.

Say what you like about David Moyes, but he strode confidently into San Sebastian with clear ideas of what he wants to achieve while in the position of manager at the Basque club.

Moyes' initial appointment was greeted with scepticism but one loss in the last seven, per WhoScored.com, which included Real's first two goalless draws of the season, has kept the doubters quiet.

The loss to Villarreal aside, the team have been compact and kept their shape well. They, and the manager, have certainly done enough to keep the locals happy.

Telling reporters at his opening press conference, detailed by Chris Cutmore of the Daily Mail, that he considered he was following in the footsteps of Barca legends Terry Venables and Sir Bobby Robson might just have been Moyes' only own goal from his opening few weeks in Spain.

Barca's Defensive Excellence

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Gerard Pique has helped shore up Barcelona's back line.

Barcelona have always been noted for the quality of their attacking play, with the occasional nod in the direction of defensive excellence.

This season has seen the back four produce the goods on a regular basis, to the extent that the Catalans' seven goals conceded in the league is far and away the best in the division.

It's why Barca still find themselves in the hunt for La Liga, even though Real Madrid have a game in hand on their rivals.

Best Teams Beaten in San Sebastian

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Real Madrid suffered their heaviest defeat of the season to Sociedad.

Barcelona only need look at the results from the Anoeta this season to get a handle on just how difficult an assignment this will be for them.

Real Madrid were 2-0 up and cruising earlier this season and then succumbed to their heaviest defeat of the campaign by 4-2.

Cross-town rivals Atletico Madrid also left the Basque country with their tails between their legs and without a point.

The freshness of a two-week winter break could be Barca's only hope of gaining an advantage.

More Rotation from Lucho

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It's about time Luis Enrique decided on his best XI.

Luis Enrique is making a rod for his own back.

Prior to the winter break he had used 24 different starting XIs in his 24 matches in charge. There's nothing to suggest he won't rotate again in this one.

With almost half of the season gone already, why hasn't the manager decided on a settled starting line-up?

Occasional rotation can be for the good of the team and, indeed, picking a team to play certain opposition is forward thinking enough.

But rotation for the sake of it benefits no one. The team cannot derive any sort of rhythm from a constant turnaround of personnel.