Rayo Vallecano vs Real Sociedad Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Rayo Vallecano sit firmly in the middle-of-the-table in La Liga as the capital city club welcome a European-chasing Real Sociedad side to Vallecas this weekend.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN have the exclusive rights to La Liga games in the USA, so any game may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
How to watch online: UK – Premier Player / US – ESPN+
Rayo Vallecano preview: Mid-table Rayo
Rayo Vallecano come into this one on the back of a slender 1-0 defeat of Espanyol at Vallecas the other day, courtesy of an 87th minute winner scored by striker Sergio Camello as they push into the middle of La Liga amid a busy schedule.
That busy schedule is because Rayo, courtesy of a recent defeat of AEK Athens, are now into the semi-finals of the UEFA Europa Conference League, whereby they will face Strasbourg this week.
Real Sociedad preview: Inconsistent La Real
Real Sociedad won the Copa del Rey last weekend with a dramatic penalty shootout defeat of Atletico Madrid at La Cartuja in Seville before a major party back in San Sebastian in the Basque Country.
La Real, fairly expectedly, then did succumb to a slender 1-0 loss at home to Getafe in midweek as a result of a 29th minute own goal scored by Jon Gorrotxategi at the Reale Arena.
Rayo Vallecano team news: Nteka a doubt
Versatile attacker Randy Nteka is a doubt for this one alongside experienced centre-back Luiz Felipe, while key winger Alvaro Garcia has suffered a hamstring injury.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Augusto Batalla; Ratiu, Ciss, Lejeune, Pep Chavarria; Isi Palazon, Oscar Valentin, Pablo Diaz; Jorge de Frutos, Alemao, Alfonso Espino
Unavailable: Alvaro Garcia (Injured)
Questionable: Luiz Felipe (Injured), Nteka (Injured)
Real Sociedad team news: Caleta-Car
Croatia international centre-back Duje Caleta-Car is missing through suspension for this one, while Portugal international attacker Goncalo Guedes is also dealing with a toe injury.
Predicted XI (4-4-2): Alex Remiro; Jon Aramburu, Aritz Elustondo, Jonas Martin, Aihen Munoz; Pablo Marin, Jon Gorrotxategi, Carlos Soler, Brais Mendez; Kubo, Oskarsson
Unavailable: Caleta-Car (Suspended), Alvaro Odriozola (Injured)
Questionable: Igor Zubeldia (Injured), Inaki Ruperez (Injured), Guedes (Injured)
Rayo Vallecano vs Real Sociedad prediction
Inigo Perez is a highly-rated coach and will be in-demand this summer but the former assistant to Andoni Iraola has an opportunity to make some history for Rayo, having reached the semi-finals of a European competition for the first time ever as a club. Real Sociedad have had their hangover in midweek but it may be a lengthy one and so siding with the hosts again may well be the way to go for this one.
Rayo Vallecano vs Real Sociedad tip: Double chance – Rayo Vallecano to win or draw
