Rayo Vallecano vs Real Sociedad Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Rayo Vallecano have been pushing well for the European spots but they now come into this one on the back of some poor form as they welcome a similarly struggling Real Sociedad this week.
Kick-off date/time: Sunday 16th March, 2025: UK – 5:30pm / US ET – 1:30pm / US PT – 10:30am
How to watch on TV: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN have the exclusive rights to La Liga games in the USA, so Rayo Vallecano vs Real Sociedad may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
How to watch online: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN+
Rayo Vallecano Preview: Intense Rayo
Inigo Perez, the former assistant to Andoni Iraola, leads a Rayo Vallecano side that remain in contention for a top seven or eight spot in La Liga and potential European qualification but the Madrid-based club have now collected just one point from their last four matches.
The hosts come into this one on the back of a 2-1 defeat away to Real Madrid at the Bernabeu last weekend in a game in which Madrid were holding on. Results may have dipped but performances of Rayo have remained strong.
Real Sociedad Preview: Struggling La Real
Real Sociedad have endured a difficult campaign throughout and the pressure is growing on manager Imanol Aguacil with La Real’s intense style of football and his intense style of management perhaps now taking on the negative effects.
La Real most recently suffered a 4-1 loss at Old Trafford against Manchester United in the second-leg of their UEFA Europa League Round of 16 tie to lose 5-2 on aggregate. They have now managed just one win in their last seven matches across all competitions.
Rayo Vallecano Team News: Several absentees
Rayo Vallecano are dealing with several absentees ahead of the visit of Real Sociedad this weekend and there are some key issues in attack especially as the likes of Isi Palazon, Randy Nteka and Sergio Camello are sidelined for the hosts.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Auguste Batalla; Ratiu, Lejeune, Aridane, Alvaro Espino; Ciss, Gerard Gumbau; Adria Embarba, Pedro Diaz, Pep Chavarria; Alvaro Garcia
Unavailable: Mumin (Injured), Isi Palazon (Injured), Nteka (Injured), Sergio Camello (Injured), Raul de Tomas (Illness)
Questionable:
Real Sociedad Team News: A few injuries
As Real Sociedad make the trip to Vallecas this weekend, La Real have several players sidelined through injury such as Jon Pacheco and Alvaro Odriozola. Russia international midfielder Arsen Zakharyan couldn’t travel to England in midweek but he is available this weekend.
Predicted XI (4-1-4-1): Alex Remiro; Jon Aramburu, Igor Zubeldia, Ageurd, Javi Lopez; Martin Zubimendi; Sergio Gomez, Pablo Marin, Zakharyan, Kubo; Mikel Oyarzabal
Unavailable: Jon Pacheco (Injured), Alvaro Odriozola (Injured), Sucic (Injured
Questionable:
Rayo Vallecano vs Real Sociedad Prediction
Rayo Vallecano play an intense and aggressive style of football that is designed to swarm and suffocate their opposition but the same can be said for Real Sociedad, who perhaps play one of the more intense styles of football in Europe. Rayo will sense some blood here, though, especially given the pressure on Imanol Aguacil. The lack of space either side give could mean a low-scoring encounter but, especially at Vallecas, siding with Rayo looks the way to go for this one in the capital city.
Rayo Vallecano vs Real Sociedad Tip: Rayo Vallecano to win & under 3.5 goals
