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An in-form Real Sociedad side will welcome Rayo Vallecano to the Anoeta (San Sebastian) on Sunday in a La Liga encounter.
The hosts enter this game looking to bounce back from their defeat last weekend, which ended their four-game winning streak in the league.
Meanwhile, the visiting Los Franjirrojos will hope they can improve on their inconsistent performances this season and build on their win last weekend.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
Real Sociedad vs Rayo key stats
- Real Sociedad are unbeaten in their last three home games across all competitions.
- Rayo Vallecano are winless in their last five away league matches this season.
- Rayo have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last six away league games across all competitions.
Real Sociedad vs Rayo preview: Hosts looking to get back to winning ways
Real Sociedad vs Rayo — Tale of the Tape
| Real Sociedad | vs | Rayo |
|---|---|---|
| 5th | Position | 12th |
| 19 | Points | 12 |
| 20 | Goals For | 15 |
| 20 | Goals Against | 20 |
| 1 | Clean Sheets | 1 |
| 10th | Home / Away Rank | 16th |
Real Sociedad's impressive four-match winning run in the league came to an end last weekend when they suffered a 2-1 defeat away to Basque rivals Athletic Club.
Despite that setback, La Real remained fifth in the standings heading into this round.
Pellegrino Matarazzo's side were unable to respond with a victory in midweek either, having drawn 1-1 at home against Lyon in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday.
Their domestic performances have been encouraging, with three victories from their five home league fixtures, alongside one draw and one defeat.
There is reason to believe Sociedad can return to winning ways, having lost consecutive league matches on just one occasion under Matarazzo.
Rayo Vallecano, meanwhile, were impressive in their last league outing, cruising to a 3-0 victory over Celta Vigo to secure their first league clean sheet of the campaign.
However, their performances against stronger opposition have been less convincing. Rayo are yet to defeat a team sitting inside the top nine this season.
Also, their struggles on the road could make this trip especially difficult, as Benat San Jose's men have played five away league matches without a victory, drawing twice and losing three times.
Rayo will be desperate to end that unwanted run before it stretches further, and another failure to win would see San Jose become only the second manager in the club's history, after Inigo Perez, to go without an away league victory across his first six matches in charge.
Real Sociedad vs Rayo form guide & betting tips
| Real Sociedad | vs | Rayo |
|---|---|---|
WWWWD |
Form | WDDLW |
| 19 | Points | 12 |
| 5th | Form Table | 12th |
| 20 | Goals For | 15 |
| 20 | Goals Against | 20 |
WWWLD |
Form (All Comps) | DDLDW |
Whispers predicts: Real Sociedad 2-1 Rayo Vallecano
Real Sociedad enter this clash with a strong home advantage, and we predict a 2-1 victory for the hosts.
The home team possess an edge based on their impressive run of form and their home advantage.
Ahead of this clash, the bookmakers have tipped Real Sociedad as favourites to win at 8/11 (1.72) at the Reale Arena.
A draw is valued at 14/5 (3.80), while an away victory for Rayo Vallecano is offered at 13/3 (4.33), making the visitors the underdogs.
Over 2.5 goals is priced at 4/6 (1.67), and both teams to score (yes) is available at 4/6 (1.67), while a first-half draw is set at 11/8 (2.38).
> Real Sociedad to win at 8/11 (1.72) | Likelihood: Possible
> Over 2.5 goals at 4/6 (1.67) | Likelihood: Possible
> Both teams to score (yes) at 4/6 (1.67) | Likelihood: Possible
> First-half draw at 11/8 (2.38) | Likelihood: Probable