Barcelona vs. Real Sociedad: Complete Preview, Live Stream, Start Time and More

Barcelona will welcome Real Sociedad to Camp Nou on Saturday with hopes of a big victory that will spark a dominant second half of the season. Barca currently sits seven points behind archenemy Real Madrid as they bid to win their fourth straight La Liga title.

It's been a disappointing league campaign for the Blaugrana. There have been far more shocking results this season—including a 2-2 draw with Sociedad the first time around—than in previous years.

It's going to take a remarkable effort to catch the Blancos, but nothing is impossible with Barcelona's talent.

Even though the Txuri-urdin are coming off a convincing 5-1 win over Sporting Gijon, their 12th-place standing leaves a lot to be desired over the season's final 18 games.

If they are going to turn things around, consistent performances in the attacking third are vital.

Where: Camp Nou in Barcelona, Spain

When: Saturday, Feb. 4 at 4 p.m. ET

Watch: Gol TV USA or ESPN3.com

Betting Odds: Barcelona -1670, Real Sociedad +2240, Draw +990

Player to Watch for Barcelona: Cesc Fabregas

It's been a terrific return to Barcelona for Fabregas after spending most of his youth career with the club. He's totaled nine goals and five assists in 15 games.

More important than any statistic is the amount of support he's given Lionel Messi, who is virtually unstoppable when he gets room to operate.

Despite his good form for most of the season, Fabregas hasn't gotten on the score sheet in nearly a month. That's one of the major reasons Barcelona's results over the past few weeks haven't lived up to the team's sky-high standards. Barca needs him to get rolling again starting this weekend.

Player to Watch for Real Sociedad: Imanol Agirretxe

The Txuri-urdin have struggled on offense, but you can't blame Agirretxe for the woes. He's been one of the lone bright spots up front with a team-leading five goals.

After spending nearly his entire career with Real Sociedad, it appears the 24-year-old Spaniard is finally coming into his own.

Like Fabregas, however, Agirretxe is mired in a goal-scoring slump. He hasn't hit the net since late November, which has had a trickle-down effect throughout the entire team. If the team is going to make any type of run in the season's second half, he'll need to pick up the pace.

Key Matchup: Lionel Messi vs. Real Sociedad defense

Everything that could be said to capture Messi's magnificence has already been explained, but that doesn't make his play any less amazing. There isn't a player more dangerous with the ball at his feet, and his high-turnover rate is simply a product of being trusted to tote the ball around the field so much.

Sociedad kept Messi off the scoreboard in the first meeting after the superstar entered as a sub in the 62nd minute. The Txuri-urdin will have to keep him in check once again on Saturday if they want to pull off another shocker.

Barcelona will be seeking an easy victory, so they will need to be ready from the opening whistle.

What They're Saying

Speaking after the team's draw against Valencia on Wednesday, Barcelona defender Gerard Pique sounded more concerned about the weather than Real Sociedad (via Goal.com):

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Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola had admitted that Pinto was fortunate to stay on the pitch, but Pique analysed the team's performance.

"We dominated the match, they were strong in defence but it is always difficult to win here. We had our chances, but it is a good result to take back [to Camp Nou]."

The former Manchester United player concluded by turning his attention to the weekend match against Real Sociedad: "It is a late kick-off, so we will suffer because of the cold."

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Prediction

Barcelona 4, Real Sociedad 1