La Liga FC Barcelona V Real Sociedad

Barcelona play host to Real Sociedad tonight in Primera Liga on the opening weekend of the 2012-13 La Liga season.

Barcelona will be without defender Eric Abidal and midfielder Thiago Alcantra although both are back in training.

Spanish forward David Villa, who missed the second half of last season with a broken leg, is edging closer to full fitness and could feature from the bench.

Alexis Sanchez and Carles Puyol are also back in full training and could feature.

Summer signing Jordi Alba is set to make his Liga debut for the Catalans at left-back.

Real Sociedad travel to Camp Nou with Jose Angel set to start after joining the club on loan from Roma.

Striker Carlos Vela should also play following his permanent move from Arsenal, but Inigo Martinez misses out.