Real Sociedad vs. Barcelona: Date, Time, Live Stream, TV Info and Preview

David Moyes' Real Sociedad will face a major test when they host a star-studded Barcelona team on Sunday. Luis Enrique's squad is likely still smarting after the Court of Arbitration for Sport upheld the club's global transfer ban for 2015.

Meanwhile, ex-Everton and Manchester United boss Moyes knows his new team need points. Sociedad are still hovering just two points above the drop zone in La Liga.

Here's the schedule and viewing information:

Date: Sunday, Jan. 4 2015

Time: 8 p.m. (GMT) / 3 p.m. (ET)

TV: Sky Sports 5 (UK) / beIN Sport USA

Live Stream: Sky Go. beIN Sports Connect.

Preview

The new year doesn't change much for Barca. The team is still heavily reliant on its Lionel Messi-led attack to win games. That reliance is going to be even more obvious now that Enrique is prohibited from adding to his squad during 2015.

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That means persisting with the same question marks in midfield and defence. It's the latter area that has to rate as the biggest concern.

Former Valencia man Jeremy Mathieu has struggled, while ex-Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen hasn't even made it onto the pitch. Of course, it would help the men at the back if the blend in front of them was right.

But Enrique has struggled to craft the right mix from Sergio Busquets, Ivan Rakitic, Xavi and Andres Iniesta. Enrique has to find the winning combination in the middle in order to ensure consistent and quality supply to Barca's gifted forward line.

Messi is still typically at the hub of everything up front. He's already hit 23 goals this season, per ESPN FC. It also helps that Brazilian Neymar Jr. has shown considerable improvement during his second season at the Catalan club.

Now the priority must be to get marquee summer buy Luis Suarez firing more consistently. The ex-Liverpool talisman is a true maverick genius in front of goal.

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If this trio ever fully clicks, the rest of La Liga is in trouble. Moyes' Sociedad will just be the first of many victims.

Of course, Moyes has his own talented attacker to turn to in the form of one-time Arsenal prospect Carlos Vela. The fleet-footed and mercurial Mexican has scored six times and provided a pair of assists this season, per WhoScored.com.

Vela often receives capable support from crafty advanced midfielder Sergio Canales. However, the pair will know chances are likely to be scarce against Barca, even at home.

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Instead, Moyes will count on rugged midfielders Esteban Granero and Markel Bergara to try to stem the tide of Barcelona's possession-based game.

Sociedad 1-3 Barcelona

This one is likely to be tough going for Barca in the early stages. Moyes will set his team up to close off passing lanes and keep things tight.

However, a moment or two of typical Messi magic will open the game up, before Suarez finishes off Sociedad.