PREVIEW | FC Barcelona v Real Sociedad

Monday sees FC Barcelona and Real Sociedad meet in the final fixture of week 35 in La Liga at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, kick off 9pm CEST. The overriding objective for Xavi Hernández's team is to take all three points and move back into second place in the table with just three games remaining. 

Dropped points from Girona 

The blaugranes have the chance to move back into runners up spot in La Liga thanks to Girona's 2-2 draw away from home in their week 35 fixture last Friday. A win against Real Sociedad would see Barça back in second place and reclaim their spot in next season's Spanish Super Cup. 

Monday's opponents Real Sociedad are almost certain to be involved in Europe next season, the only question is whether it will be in the UEFA Europa League or Conference League. The former is the objective for Imanol Alguacil's team so a top quality contest is guaranteed between two attractive teams in the Estadi Olímpic. 

History and Real Sociedad 

Coach Alguacil has been in charge of the club from San Sebastián for more than five years and this season if they can make it into European competition then it would see them compete on the continent for the fifth season in a row, a record for the txuri-urdin. 

Team news

Barça cannot afford to slip up against Real Sociedad and the good news for Xavi is that all his players are available with the exception of long term injury victims Gavi and Balde and Frenkie de Jong. The visitors have one important player ruled out, midfielder Martín Zubimendi with a muscle injury. 

Xavi says 

The Barça was clear about his team's remaining objectives in his pre-game press conference on Sunday. "For us it is really important to finish in second place and be in the Super Cup, another trophy to fight for next season," said Xavi before the media.