The Spanish league championship has essentially lost its suspense with Barcelona holding a tremendous 18 point lead on rival Real Madrid. The main suspense that remains is whether this team can end the season undefeated.
Despite the tremendous season, the news of late has not been great. Number one keeper Victor Valdes has announced that he will not play with this club after this season and their last match was subpar. In that game, the team drew 2-2 against Malaga in the Copa del Rey match.
Superstar Lionel Messi and captain Carles Puyol each scored a goal, the second a minute after the first to give Barcelona a 2-1 lead. The team, however, was unable to contain Malaga for the remainder of the game and enters the final leg of the Copa del Rey match needing to win to progress.
Through 19 Spanish league matches, Barcelona has won 18 and drawn one match. The team has scored a league leading 64 goals and only conceded 20. Messi leads the team with 28 goals this season and has scored in the three matches he has played in this season. He has scored three goals in 2013 but he trails rival Cristiano Ronaldo who has scored five goals this season.
Barcelona will face Real Sociedad who has 26 points this season. The team recently drew 1-1 with Deportivo La Coruña and lost 4-3 to Real Madrid.
These teams faced-off on the first day of the season on August 19. Barcelona won 5-1.
Prediction: It will be harder than the first time; however Barcelona will win 2-0.
Start Time: 12 PM EST
TV: beIN Sport USA