predicted lineups, team news and score prediction

Harry Truman was the US President. People danced to a song called “Jailhouse Rock” by Elvis Presley. Disney's animated film “Cinderella” was the highest-grossing film.

The year was 1950, a long, long time ago in a football galaxy far, far away. It was also the last time Barcelona scored 54 goals in the first 16 games of the season – until now.

That's right. Barca have found the net 55 times so far in 2024, surpassing their 74-year mark. Many La Liga observers expected the Blaugrana to get off to a slow start this season as new coach Hansi Flick settled in and the team dealt with injuries to Uruguayan defender Ronald Araújo, Dutch midfielder Frenkie de Jong and Spanish midfielders Pedri and Gavi had to fight.

But Barca have silenced all doubters. They have won 11 of their first 12 La Liga games and sit at the top of the table, nine points clear of eternal rivals Real Madrid. They are also the most dangerous team in all major European leagues.

The timeless Polish star Robert Lewandowski (36) scored 14 goals in 12 games. Left winger Raphinia has seven and prodigy Lamine Yamal has five. Remember that Barcelona have become a goal machine, especially without the services of Dani Olmo.

The $65 million signing from RB Leipzig missed a month due to injury. What did Olmo do after returning to the starting lineup on November 3rd? He, of course, scored twice as the Blaugrana beat Espanyol 3-1 in the Catalan derby.

Barcelona travel to the Basque Country on Sunday (see details below) to take on Real Sociedad in a clear clash of styles.

La Real have built a fortress this season. They have conceded just 0.8 goals per game, the third-best figure in La Liga. In the table they are tied for 11th place with 15 points. In their last game against Sevilla, Real Sociedad shut out the Rojiblanco in the first half, allowing just two shots and an xG of 0.10, allowing them to secure a 2-0 win.

In La Real's back line, right-back Jon Aramburu and center backs Igor Zubeldia and Nayef Aguerd have had excellent seasons so far. Aguerd seems thrilled to be on loan from West Ham and away from this chaotic club. Left-back Javi Lopez is being pushed for playing time by Sergio Gomez, who has an average player rating of 7.4 in his last five games.

La Real will not have midfielders Pablo Marin and Arsen Zakharyan as well as defender Hamari Traore.

Expected Real Sociedad lineup: Remiro, Aramburu, Zubeldia, Aguerd, Gomez, Zubimendi, Kubo, Mendez, Sucic, Becker, Oyarzabal

Another of Barcelona's talented young players, 17-year-old central defender Pau Cubarsi, was kicked in the face during the club's Champions League victory on November 6. It's one of the worst injuries in recent memory. He is questionable for Sunday.

Expected Barcelona lineup: Pena, Kounde, Dominguez, Martinez, Balde, de Jong, Casado, Lamine Yamal, Pedri, Raphinha, Lewandowski

Expected score: Barcelona 2, Real Sociedad 0

Kickoff time is Sunday, November 10th at 3:00 p.m. ET. The game can be viewed on ESPN+ and ESPN Deportes.