Barcelona lineup vs. Real Sociedad: Predicted XI for La Liga champions including Lamine Yamal decision

Barcelona are expected to have Lamine Yamal and Alejandro Balde back in their squad for Sunday's La Liga contest against Real Sociedad.

Yamal has missed Barcelona's last four matches in all competitions with a groin issue, while Balde has been sidelined since suffering a hamstring issue while in training during the September international break.

Both players are set to be involved off the bench against Real Sociedad in the hope that they will then be able to start next week's Champions League home fixture against Paris Saint-Germain.

However, Raphinha has been ruled out for three weeks with a thigh problem that he sustained against Real Oviedo, while Joan Garcia will be unavailable for between four to six weeks, as he needs a minor knee operation.

Wojciech Szczesny is therefore in line for a spot between the sticks, while head coach Hansi Flick will make changes elsewhere, with Jules Kounde, Marc Casado and Frenkie de Jong in line to return.

Robert Lewandowski could also be introduced in the final third of the field, with the Poland international scoring off the bench against Real Oviedo last time out.

Ferran Torres may therefore move into a wide area, while Eric Garcia could be shifted into the middle of the defence to make room for Kounde at right-back.

Fermin Lopez, Gavi and Marc-Andre ter Stegen remain unavailable through injury for the La Liga champions.

Barcelona possible starting lineup: Szczesny; Kounde, E Garcia, Araujo, Martin; De Jong, Casado; F Torres, Olmo, Rashford; Lewandowski