Barcelona vs Real Sociedad live online: LaLiga

Barcelona 2-1 Real Sociedad: match report

Barcelona closed in on the La Liga title on Saturday after earning a hard-fought 2-1 win over Real Sociedad at the Nou Camp, with goals from defenders Clement Lenglet and Jordi Alba restoring their nine-point lead at the top of the table.

Barca lead the standings on 77 points after 33 games, comfortably clear of nearest challengers Atletico Madrid who won 1-0 at Eibar earlier in the day.

French centre back Lenglet scored his first league goal for the Catalans to break the deadlock against the stubborn visitors right at the end of the first half with a crashing header from Ousmane Dembele's corner.

Sociedad were rewarded for their intelligent display when forward Juanmi equalised in the 62nd minute, sliding in to meet an incisive pass from Mikel Merino and diverting it past Barca's Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

But Barca hit back almost immediately when Lionel Messi picked out Alba, who did his best impression of the Argentine by cutting in from the left wing and producing a curling finish for the win.

The Catalans will be crowned champions for the 26th time if they beat Alaves on Tuesday and Levante next Saturday. They could clinch the title as soon as Wednesday if they win against Alaves and Atletico lose to Valencia.

Barcelona vs Real Sociedad live online: as it happened

Barcelona vs Real Sociedad live online: preview

Barcelona have the league all but wrapped up but with Atlético Madrid winning at Eibar earlier on Saturday, they don't want to taka their eye off the ball against Real Sociedad at Camp Nou. They currently sit six points clear of Simeone's men in second with 18 points left for them to play for. 

Lionel Messi is in the squad as Ernesto Valverde names his strongest possible 18 for the game after a tough midweek win over Manchester United that sees them progress to the Champions League semi-final. Thomas Vermaelen and Rafinha are out but everyone else is available. Messi has scored 10 times in 10 games against Real Sociedad at the Camp Nou in all competitions and he will be looking to add to that tally on Saturday night. He is also chasing 600 goals in a Barcelona shirt. He is currently on 597.

Real Sociedad are likely without Asier Illarramendi and David Zurutuza and Adnan Januzaj for the trip to the Camp Nou. They currently sit on 41 points and are neither in danger of relegation or of making Europe. They have only lost once in their last five games but have lost their last six games against Barcelona in all competitions.