Real Sociedad are coping well with Barcelona's response so far. The visitors may have had a lot of the ball but have done little to threaten the goal as of yet.

Image source, Reuters

Spanish football expert Sam Marsden at Anoeta: "Whatever David Moyes is saying before these home games, it's certainly working. Against Elche and Athletic Bilbao it was Carlos Vela, but this time it was an own goal from Jordi Alba which has given Real Sociedad the lead against Barcelona. Their starts are certainly meriting the latest buzz word in San Sebastian: Intensity.

"Despite the goal, though, which did briefly wake the home fans up, Anoeta isn't exactly bouncing yet.

"As for Barca, they'll be disappointed but not surprised to have been undone by a ball into the box. Although it does now provide Luis Suarez with the perfect platform to prove he can play the lead role when Lionel Messi is watching on."

Barcelona looking to calm things down as they pass the ball around patiently. Luis Suarez looks like a man desperate to impress but, after a heavy touch, he drags Alberto de la Bella down and a free kick to the hosts eases the pressure.

Barcelona boss Luis Enrique looks a worried man. He has taken a gamble by leaving Lionel Messi and Neymar on the substitutes bench and you just know that decision will be questioned if they lose this evening. Plenty of time to go yet though...

Image source, Getty Images

What a start as Jordi Alba heads a dangerous cross from the right into his own net to give the hosts the lead.

There can be few complaints about the form of Lionel Messi and Neymar in attack this season.

Barca's star-studded attack will be expected to continue impressing, with Lionel Messi and Neymar leading the way with 26 league goals between them this term.

Luis Suarez, who signed from Liverpool in the summer, has just one La Liga goal to his name though and he leads the attack with the other two on the bench. Game on.

Spanish football expert Sam Marsden: "San Sebastian is known for its rain in Spain and it hasn't disappointed tonight. David Moyes, who's still living at the plush Maria Cristina hotel in the city centre, must be used to it by now, but will it suit Xavi and Andres Iniesta's slick passing game? Real Sociedad will have to hope not.

"A huge crowd greeted Barcelona's team bus 90 minutes before kick off and the fans that queued around the corner from ticket office are now starting to fill up Anoeta. La Real's home holds over 30,000, but their highest attendance this season was 27,879 against Real Madrid - that's the number to beat.

"In Moyes' two home league games to date, Carlos Vela has scored inside the first five minutes. The home support would certainly like to see him make it three quick starts in a row."

As well as beating Barcelona in the league last season, Sociedad also drew 1-1 with the Catalan giants at Anoeta in the Copa del Rey.

"If we can perform as well as we did in both those games, it will give us a great chance of getting a result," said David Moyes.

"We have to be hard to beat when we don't have the ball and positive with the ball to cause Barca problems, Undoubtedly they are a very, very good team but when they come to San Sebastian we have to show them it is not an easy place to come."

One Barcelona player who is no stranger to Real Sociedad's Anoeta stadium is goalkeeper Claudio Bravo.

The Chile international returns to Sociedad for the first time since moving to the Nou Camp in June for in the region of £9m.

The 31-year-old captained Sociedad and has impressed in his start to life at Camp Nou - conceding just seven goals in 16 La Liga matches.

"It will be a special game," he said. "Every game I have played in my new career here have been fantastic but this will be special because it is against my former club and I have unforgettable memories from there."

Image source, Getty Images

One of Barca's challengers for the La Liga title - last season's champions Atletico Madrid - have already been busy in the transfer market this month, with the loan signing of former fans favourite Fernando Torres.

The ex-Liverpool and Chelsea striker is re-joining the La Liga champions from AC Milan seven-and-a-half-years after leaving for Liverpool and was unveiled in front of 45,000 fans at the Vincente Calderon earlier today.

Can a return to his boyhood club reignite Torres's career? It would be some story.

So how has David Moyes been enjoying life in Spain since being appointed Sociedad boss in November?

He has certainly made them harder to beat, having lost just twice in the seven matches he has been in charge in all competitions.

But, with just one win in that time, his side are only two points ahead of the drop zone.

Spanish football expert Sam Marsden at Anoeta: After Valencia ended Real Madrid's 22-game winning run earlier this evening, Barcelona can move to the top of La Liga with three points against David Moyes' Real Sociedad at Anoeta. However, that is by no means a simple task - Barca are without a win in their last five trips to San Sebastian, losing three and drawing two.

"On top of that, La Real have already beaten Madrid and Atletico Madrid at home this season and Luis Enrique has noted that Moyes has "restored their intensity".

"Scoring goals has been their problem; they've been largely dependent on Carlos Vela, who single-handedly downed Enrique's Celta Vigo with all the goals in a 4-3 win last season. Keeping them out will also be a concern for Moyes tonight, though, who comes face-to-face with Luis Suarez, who famously mimicked a dive in front of the then Everton boss in a Merseyside derby in 2012."

Image source, Getty Images

Barcelona ended last year in not particularly happy circumstances after the Court of Arbitration for Sport upheld their 2015 transfer ban.

It will mean a quiet January for Luis Enrique, who will need to make do with the players already at his disposal.

Still with the likes of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez to pick from, it is difficult to feel that sorry for them...

We want to hear from you this evening as Real Madrid's defeat opens up the La liga title race. What are your thoughts? Are Real Madrid still the favourites or can Barcelona and Atletico Madrid take advantage? Tweet #bbceurofooty , externalor text 81111 (UK users only)

Spanish football expert Sam Marsden at Anoeta: "David Moyes may not have been expecting this. Luis Enrique has left Lionel Messi, Neymar and Dani Alves on the Barcelona bench. The three South Americans only returned to training on Friday after an extended winter break, so that's presumably behind the decision.

"Real Sociedad are boosted by the inclusion of top scorer Carlos Vela in their starting lineup. The Mexican had been rated as a doubt, but has been passed fit and will start as the solitary forward with support from captain Xabi Prieto, Sergio Canales and Chory Castro."

Real Sociedad XI: Rulli, C.Martínez, Bergara, Iñigo, Granero, X.Prieto, Vela, Ansotegi, Canales, Chory Castro & De la Bella

Barcelona XI: Bravo, Montoya, Sergio, Xavi, Pedro, Iniesta, Suarez, Mascherano, Jordi Alba, Mathieu, Munir. Subs: Ter Stegen, Messi, Neymar, Pique, Alves, Rakitic, Rafinha

And what a start to the year it could prove to be for Barcelona, who were handed an unexpected late Christmas present by league leaders Real Madrid earlier today.

Despite Cristiano Ronaldo giving them the early lead, Real's attempt at making it 23 wins in a row failed as Valencia came from behind to win 2-1.

A Barca victory this evening will put them top of the pile.

Hola. Yes, good evening and a Happy new year to you all.

Welcome to our first European football live text of 2015 and what a cracker we have for you.

Real Sociedad v Barcelona. David Moyes v Luis Suarez.

Sit back and enjoy.

Image source, AFP

This time last year, another nail was hammered into David Moyes's Manchester United managerial coffin as Wilfried Bony's 90th-winner knocked the Reds out of the FA Cup third round.

It was Swansea's first win in their history at Old Trafford and only United's second defeat at the FA Cup first hurdle in 27 years as the end loomed ever larger for a beleaguered Moyes.

Now, a year on, the new Real Sociedad boss has Barcelona to contend with.

Happy New Year David.