Real Sociedad v Barcelona: 2017 Spanish Copa del Rey Leg 1 Live Stream, TV Info

Rob BlanchetteJan 16, 2017

Real Sociedad welcome La Liga champions Barcelona to the Anoeta Stadium in the first leg of the Copa del Rey quarter-final on Thursday.

La Real are having a tremendous campaign and sit in fifth place in the top division. The Blaugrana find themselves in the unexpected position of third, trailing Real Madrid and Sevilla in the standings.

Barca made their way to the last eight after edging Athletic Club Bilbao 4-3 on aggregate in a testing affair, while Sociedad defeated Villarreal 4-2 over the two legs.

Preview

BARCELONA, SPAIN - JANUARY 14: Luis Suarez of FC Barcelona celebrates with his team mate Lionel Messi after scoring his team's first goal during the La Liga match between FC Barcelona and UD Las Palmas at Camp Nou stadium on January 14, 2017 in Barcelona

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Just when you believe Barca might slip, they dust themselves down and post an impressive win to balance the ship.

The Catalans smashed five past Las Palmas in the league on Saturday, running out 5-0 winners as they continue the chase of Los Blancos.

Sociedad have become a difficult outfit to defeat, and they will feel they have a chance of success in the elongated format over two legs.

The hosts have won 10 of their league games this term and are much improved after a mid-table campaign in 2015-16.

VILLARREAL, SPAIN - JANUARY 11: Mikel Oyarzabal of Real Sociedad looks on during the Copa del Rey Round of 16 second leg match between Villarreal CF and Real Sociedad at Estadio de la Ceramica on January 11, 2017 in Villarreal, Spain. (Photo by fotopres

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The cup allows La Real to dream of getting to a major final, but the hurdle of Barcelona is always daunting.

According to Marca, Jose Luis Gonzalez Gonzalez has been appointed referee for the first leg, and the official has "a dubious history" with the teams after their Copa meeting in 2013/14. Javier Mascherano appeared to foul Carlos Vela in the penalty box in the match, but the referee failed to make the call at the Anoeta.

La Real also have other flashpoints involving the official, and Barca coach Luis Enrique has voiced his concerns about Gonzalez in the past, per Marca.

BARCELONA, SPAIN - JANUARY 14: (EDITORS NOTE: This image has been processed using digitals filters.) Lionel Messi of Barcelona looks on during the La Liga match between FC Barcelona and UD Las Palmas at Camp Nou Stadium on January 14, 2017 in Barcelona,

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Sociedad might have hit their ceiling in terms of form this season, but a goalless draw would be a positive scoreline on Thursday.

Barca are always likely to hit plenty of goals at the Camp Nou, but a smash and grab offers the Basque club their best chance if they want to win over two legs.

However, Enrique's side will be overwhelming favourites to get the job done with Lionel Messi pulling the strings, and Sociedad will need a slice of luck to challenge in the second match on Jan. 26.