Despite tasting defeat for the first time in 40 games on their last La Liga outing at home to Real Madrid last weekend, Barca still hold a commanding six-point lead over Atletico Madrid with Real a further point adrift and just seven games remaining.

However, the European champions haven’t won in their last six trips to San Sebastian, including defeats in the last three seasons in La Liga.

Barca have particularly bad memories of their last visit to Anoeta as a 1-0 defeat plunged the club into crisis and left coach Luis Enrique on the verge of the sack.

Luis Suarez scored both Barca’s goals against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday, but the Uruguayan will definitely miss out as he is suspended.

Munir El Haddadi is likely to replace Suarez with Sergi Roberto, Arda Turan and Rafinha — who made his first appearance after a six-month injury layoff in midweek — in contention to start in midfield.

“We are in a situation where we need to show we are strong and assertive,” said Luis Enrique. “No team in Spain has managed the same figures as Real Sociedad against winning teams.”

“It’s the toughest away game of the season.”