Evening all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from the Anoeta as Real Sociedad welcome Barcelona. It has all the makings of a cracker in the Basque country. Right, before anything else, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news.

So there we have it. The big team news for Sociedad is that Argentine goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli makes his first start for the club. It will be a 4-5-1 formation, meanwhile, with Mexican forward Carlos Vela leading the line once again. There are also spots in the team for Sergio Canales and Chory Castro.

Barcelona boss Luis Enrique, meanwhile, has incredibly left the likes of Lionel Messi and Neymar on the bench this evening, with Luis Suarez starting in a central area. There are also spots in the XI for Munir El-Haddadi and Pedro, while Martin Montoya starts despite speculation surrounding his future.

In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, both have won two of the last five matches, with the further fixture ending in a share of the spoils. Last season, Barcelona were 4-1 winners at the Camp Nou, but lost 3-1 when they travelled to this stadium towards the end of February.

Sociedad really struggled in the opening weeks of the season, but it does appear that the corner has been turned in recent weeks. Since David Moyes took charge towards the end of November, the Basque side have lost just one of their five league games. However, a difficult campaign thus far has left the club in 16th position in the table, just two points outside of the relegation zone.

Last time out, Sociedad led at Levante deep into second-half stoppage time, but were made to settle for a point in Valencia. Sociedad can, however, take confidence from their recent home form against Barcelona, who are without a win in their last four league trips to the Anoeta – losing their last two. Sociedad have also already beaten both Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid at home this season.

Barcelona, meanwhile, ended 2014 with a thumping 5-0 win over Cordoba. That result left the Catalan outfit in second spot in the table and that is a position they still occupy. As it stands, they are one point behind Real Madrid, who lost at Valencia earlier this afternoon. Victory for the Catalan outfit at the Anoeta would therefore see them return to the top of the table – some incentive.

Barca's away form this season has been fairly strong with five wins and just one defeat, but they have struggled for goals on their travels – netting just 12 times in their eight matches. That said, the Catalan outfit currently have the best defensive record in the league having conceded just seven times in 16 matches. Just a reminder, Messi and Neymar are both on the bench for Barca here.

PREDICTION! I have a feeling that this could be a very difficult match for Barcelona. Sociedad have been strong against the bigger teams at home this season, while Barca are far from full-strength at the Anoeta - a stadium where they have struggled in recent seasons. That said, I suspect that the visitors will ultimately have a little bit too much. My score prediction is 2-1 Barcelona here.

Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the first period. Can Barcelona move to the summit of La Liga? It is the home side that get the first 45 minutes of action underway at the Anoeta.

It must be said that there is a sensational atmosphere inside the stadium this evening and the home side will need their supporters, that is for certain. It has been a bright couple of minutes, with both teams showing their willingness to commit numbers in the final third. Good early signs.

Lift-off Sociedad! The home side are ahead just two minutes into the match as Alba turns into his own net following a cross from the left. This stadium has just erupted. Real test for Barca here!

Prieto attempted to claim the goal, but the header was clearly from Alba, who attempted to clear at the near post. What a start for the home side and they are again on the front foot with Vela here.

Barcelona have just managed to take control of the possession in the last couple of minutes, but Sociedad clear the danger following a corner from the left. You just get the feeling that Sociedad need to retain their lead for the next 10 minutes or so and ride out the pressure that will surely arrive.

Suarez has been lively in the last couple of minutes, with the striker giving the Sociedad defence no time to rest. Since scoring, Sociedad have not really retained possession, which is inviting pressure.

Sociedad do not look too comfortable defending their own box at the moment as Inigo is forced to hook one clear following another spell of Barcelona pressure. David Moyes has taken to the touchline in the last couple of minutes and is not best pleased, despite his side taking an early lead here.

Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of moments, but Barca remain in control of the possession, with Iniesta attempting to find space in the final third. Montoya has been active down the right, but the Spaniard has been unable to make a telling contribution thus far.

Iniesta is again involved for Barca, with the Spaniard delivering a cross towards the far post, but there are no takers and the danger is cleared. Still pretty comfortable for Sociedad at the moment.

Half-chance for Barca as the Sociedad goalkeeper makes a meal of a cross from Montoya, but Suarez cannot react first inside the box. The away side do force a corner, but the danger is cleared.

Munir attempts to deliver a cross from the right, but Inigo is on hand to clear as another Barcelona attack comes to an end. In truth, there is no real tempo to the match at the moment, which will suit Sociedad. The home side can attempt to soak up the pressure and break with the pace of Vela.

Barca have a free kick just outside the Sociedad box as Castro fells Montoya...

... CLOSE! The resulting set piece is taken by Xavi, but his effort just moves high of the crossbar. No Messi in the XI this evening, so Xavi appears to be on free-kick duty from that distance.

Not too much from Sociedad in terms of an attacking threat in the last few minutes, but they are nice and solid in defensive areas. It is all going very swimmingly for David Moyes at the moment.

Slightly untidy period of the match in the last few moments, with the referee forced to intervene following a couple of late challenges. Just a reminder that Messi and Neymar are both on the bench for Barca this evening. Will Luis Enrique make a change sooner rather than later? Pedro has a half-chance for the away side after good work from Suarez, but the Spaniard's effort was always high of the crossbar.

Half-chance for Barca as Montoya finds some space down the right before rolling a low cross towards Munir, but Inigo is on hand to clear for a corner. A little better from the Catalan outfit there.

Little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining and still Sociedad lead courtesy of that early own-goal from Alba. Barca remain a threat in the final third, but the likes of Munir and Pedro have struggled to make their mark thus far. Suarez has also seen little of the ball in the final third of the field.

PENALTY SHOUT! Big penalty shout for Barcelona as Inigo appears to handle inside the Sociedad box, but the referee is not interested. A number of the away side's players were convinced.

CHANCE! Finally Sociedad break into the Barcelona half with De la Bella, but Montoya comes across to clear at the vital moment. De la Bella delivers a low cross towards Prieto moments later, but the skipper cannot make contact. That could and probably should have been 2-0 Sociedad.

BOOKING! Mathieu (Barca) is booked for a rash challenge on Castro.

You just get the feeling that the next goal - if there indeed is one - will be crucial in this match. If Sociedad were to score a second, then it would be a big task for Barcelona. However, a goal for the visitors and you would have to fancy them to turn it around due to their quality from the bench.

CHANCE! Wonderful work from Canales as the midfielder turns Montoya inside the Barca box before striking on goal, but his effort is beaten away by Bravo. Wonderful from Canales there.

BOOKING! Vela (Sociedad) is booked for simulation.

Barcelona continue to threaten in forward positions as Alba delivers from the left, but Inigo is on hand to clear the danger. Sociedad threaten to break moments later with Prieto, but the midfielder is felled by Pedro. The crowd want a yellow card for Pedro, but the referee is not at all interested.

BOOKING! Inigo (Sociedad) is now booked for handball, but replays have shown that the ball was nowhere near the hand of the defender. Safe to say that David Moyes is not best pleased!

Pedro tries his luck for Barca after collecting a short free kick from Xaxi, but his effort is saved by the legs of the Sociedad goalkeeper, before Inigo is on hand to sweep clear. Still 1-0 Sociedad here.

So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with Sociedad leading 1-0 courtesy of an own-goal from Jordi Alba just two minutes into the match. Since then, Barca have dominated the ball, but chances have been few and far between. Can the visitors turn it around in the second period?

STATS! Barca have dominated the possession with 76%, while they have had nine attempts, but just one of those has been on target. Sociedad, meanwhile, have had just two attempts. There have also been three yellows issued in what has been a slightly feisty first 45 minutes of action.

BENCH WATCH! Sociedad boss Moyes has a number of attacking options on his bench this evening, with the likes of Finnborgason, Berchiche and Pardo all in reserve. Barcelona, meanwhile, have a certain Messi on their bench, in addition to the likes of Neymar, Rakitic and Rafinha.

Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Can Barcelona turn this one around? It is the Catalan outfit that get the second 45 minutes of action underway.

SUB! It will not come as much of a surprise that Barcelona have made one change at the break, with Messi entering proceedings in place of Munir, who really struggled in the first period.

Decent start to the second period from Barca, with Suarez just losing out in a high challenge with Rulli. As expected, the away side are in control of the possession, which was also the case in the first half. There will come a time when Sociedad will need to start putting a series of passes together.

BOOKING! Granero (Sociedad) goes into the book for dissent. Moments before, Mathieu was lucky to escape a second yellow card following a late challenge on Castro.

Not too much to report in terms of chances in the early stages of the second period, which will please the home side. However, Barca still have options on their bench in the shape of Neymar and Rakitic. Sociedad manage to sustain a period of pressure, but eventually Alba clears a cross from Prieto.

There is no real tempo to Barcelona's work at the moment, with Sociedad able to clear the danger time and time again. Just a reminder that top spot is on offer for Barca, but they need all three points.

Suarez attempts to meet a through pass from Pedro, but the weight of the ball was too strong and Sociedad have a goal kick with little over 30 minutes to play. Still no Barcelona response.

Half-chance for the home side as Castro finds some space outside the box, but his effort was always moving high and wide of the crossbar. Neymar will soon enter the field for the visitors...

... SUB! Indeed the change is made as Neymar replaces Pedro.

Just a few signs that Barca are starting to warm to their task as Iniesta combines with Messi before striking on goal, but his effort just moved high of the crossbar. You just get the feeling that Sociedad will need to ride their luck in the final 30 minutes if they are to record a famous three points here.

Prieto meets a deep cross from De la Bella, but his header was just high of the crossbar. It would not have counted, however, with the midfielder adjudged to have fouled Alba. It remains 1-0 Sociedad.

Good spell for Sociedad in the last couple of moments, with the home side forcing the issue with a number of dangerous crosses. However, Barca manage to clear the danger. Just a reminder that Sociedad have not yet made a change, while Barcelona have one permitted change remaining at the Anoeta.

CHANCE! Messi comes close to levelling the scores after dancing into the Sociedad box, but Inigo just manages to make a last-ditch challenge at the vital moment. That would have been 1-1.

Half-chance for Messi as the Argentine stands over a free kick outside the box, but his effort was always moving high of the crossbar. Still Sociedad lead as the second period continues to gather pace.

SUB! Sociedad make their first change as Finnbogason replaces Castro.

Half-chance for the away side as Alba finds Xavi with a low cross, but the midfielder's effort never had enough power to worry the Sociedad stopper. Little over 20 minutes of football remaining.

Sociedad's threat is coming from wide positions, but Alba has made a couple of brilliant clearances in the last few minutes. Barca are a threat when they break into the final third, but the final pass has not been there thus far, with the latest attack, which involved Neymar, coming to a premature end.

SUB! Barca make their third change as Alves replaces Mathieu.

Half-chance for the away side as Suarez finds Messi, who strikes one on the half-volley, but his effort was always moving high of the crossbar. You just get the feeling that there are more chances here.

Slightly untidy period of the match in the last few moments, with the referee forced to intervene following a couple of late challenges. Barca continue to pass and probe outside the box, but Sociedad are alive to the danger and clear their lines. Little over 15 minutes of this La Liga contest remaining.

Another opening for Barca as Neymar dances into the box, but his effort is blocked. Suarez picks up the pieces, but again the danger is cleared. Alves is next on the scene at the far post, but no luck. Sociedad are holding on a bit at the moment as the pressure continues from the visitors.

BOOKING! Alves (Barca) is booked for a tug on Canales.

A wonderful touch from Neymar allows Messi to drive into the Sociedad box, but the sensational Inigo is once again on hand to make the challenge. Alves delivers from the right moments later, but Rulli is on hand to collect. It is all Barcelona at the moment with little over 10 minutes to play here.

CHANCE! Stunning defending from Carlos Martinez as the right-back clears a Suarez cross at the far post after his goalkeeper had lost flight of the ball. Sensational work there!

Little under 10 minutes for Barcelona to turn this one around. They would take a point from this position, but need all three if they are to move top of the table. Sociedad have possession in the Barca half.

Finnbogason causes some problems inside the Barca box after meeting a cross from the right, but eventually Alves is on hand to clear at the back post. Barca break forward with Iniesta moments later, but again there is no space in the middle and the danger is cleared.

Another half-chance for the away side as Neymar finds space inside the Sociedad box, but Martinez is on the scene to make a crucial challenge. The tension is rising inside the stadium...

CHANCE! Rulli makes the decision to depart his goal with Suarez emerging into the box, but the Sociedad goalkeeper gets a hand on the ball and the chance is gone. That would have been a penalty if the Argentine had not made contact. Everyone is playing their part for the home side here.

Little over one minute of normal time remaining and still Sociedad lead. The home side have possession in the Barcelona half and they are preparing to make their second change of the match...

... BOOKINGS! Alba (Barca) and Finnbogason (Sociedad) are both booked after clashing inside the Barcelona half.

SUB! Sociedad make their second change as Vela is replaced by Pardo.

We are into the first of three additional minutes here.

It is all very congested inside the Sociedad box as the pressure continues from Barca. Is there to be one more chance in this match? You can just sense the tension inside the stadium at the moment.

BOOKING! Bergara (Sociedad) is booked for a late challenge on Messi. Free kick Barca.

Carlos Martinez thumps clear and Sociedad are almost there. What a win this will be.

BOOKING! Neymar (Barca) is booked for infringing the Sociedad goalkeeper.

SUB! Sociedad make their third change as Yuri replaces Canales.

So there we have it. Barcelona miss the chance to go top of La Liga after losing 1-0 at Sociedad. What a night for David Moyes! Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Good evening!