Spanish La Liga Real Sociedad vs. Barcelona odds, predictions: Picks and best bets for Thursday's game from proven soccer expert

Second-place Barcelona will try to rebound from an inexplicable loss when it visits sixth-place Real Sociedad for a Spanish La Liga match Thursday. Barca (17-9-5) is hanging on perilously to a top-four spot after a 1-0 loss to Cadiz at Camp Nou on Monday. It is level on points with Sevilla and Atletico Madrid, and just three ahead of fifth-place Real Betis, though it has a game in hand. Sociedad (15-10-7) is just five behind Barcelona, so this is an important match for both sides.     

Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET in San Sebastian, Spain. Caesars Sportsbook lists Barcelona as a +114 favorite (risk $100 to win $114) in the latest Real Sociedad vs. Barcelona odds, while Sociedad is a +245 underdog. A draw is listed at +240 and the over-under for total goals is 2.5. 

Before you make any Real Sociedad vs. Barcelona picks or La Liga predictions, you HAVE TO see what renowned soccer bettor Jon "Buckets" Eimer has to say.

Eimer is a high-volume bettor who has vast knowledge of leagues and players across the globe. Since joining SportsLine, Eimer has covered the English Premier League, Serie A, the FA Cup and much more. The Indiana-based handicapper compiled a winning record of 260-133-1 with over 90 units of profit for his community on various platforms over a recent two-month stretch. 

The expert knows Barcelona should come out flying after the home loss Monday. It held the ball for 76 percent of the match and outshot Cadiz 18-6 but couldn't get on the board. It hasn't had that problem often, as it had not been held scoreless in a league game since early December. Barca has scored the second-most goals in La Liga with 60, nearly twice as many as Sociedad (32). Ferran Torres is back healthy to lead the line and has four goals in 11 games, while Ousmane Dembele has 11 assists, tied for most in the league.

Eimer also has taken into account that Real Sociedad has one of the stingiest defenses in La Liga, allowing just 30 goals (third-fewest). It has conceded just six of those 30 at home and has allowed one over its last five games. A 4-1 loss to Real Madrid at the Bernabeu in March is its only setback in its past eight matches (5-2-1). The team is sorely missing the injured Mikel Oyarzabal, who has a team-high nine goals, and David Silva is suspended, but Alexander Isak (five goals) and Alexander Sorloth (two) can make things happen.

Now, Eimer has broken down Thursday's Barcelona vs. Real Sociedad match and locked in his best bets. He is going Under on the goal total and has two other CONFIDENT picks and his full breakdown of the match. You ABSOLUTELY need to see his picks and analysis before making any selections of your own.

What are the best bets you can make for the Real Sociedad vs. Barcelona match on Thursday? And where does all the betting value lie? ... Join SportsLine now to see Jon Eimer's picks for Barcelona vs. Real Sociedad, all from the insider with his finger on the pulse of the game all over the world!