Real Sociedad vs Rayo Vallecano – News and Probable Lineups

Real Sociedad aims to build on their recent home unbeaten streak, which extends to three matches, as they face Rayo Vallecano in Sunday’s La Liga fixture at the Reale Arena.

The Basque club enters the weekend sitting in fifth place within the La Liga table, while their opponents find themselves in 12th position.

Match overview

Real Sociedad currently trails four points behind the top four, having secured six wins, drawn once, and suffered four defeats across their first eleven league matches of the season.

La Real had a promising trio of victories in the top division until they faced a setback with a narrow 2-1 loss against local rivals Athletic Bilbao in last Sunday’s Basque derby at San Mames.

Orri Oskarsson, who did not score during his substitute appearance last weekend, managed to find the net for the fourth time in five games during Thursday’s Europa League match against Lyon at the Reale Arena.

However, his effort was equalized by Corentin Tolisso’s volley in the second half, which resulted in Pellegrino Matarazzo’s team settling for a draw, leaving them in a disappointing 20th spot in the league standings.

This draw at least marked their third home game without a loss, and they will aim for a third consecutive league victory on home soil after triumphing over Levante and Deportivo A Coruna in their most recent two La Liga matches at the Reale Arena.

In order to secure the win on Sunday, La Real must overcome Rayo for the first time since they achieved a league double in the 2022-23 season, which included a 2-1 win at home.

Rayo heads into the weekend with a two-point gap above the relegation zone, having achieved three wins, three draws, and four losses from their ten La Liga matches this season.

Benat San Jose’s team has shown resilience recently, managing to lose just once in their last five league outings (W2, D2).

Last Saturday, Rayo faced Celta Vigo at Vallecas, where Jorge de Frutos scored twice before Uani Lopez added his first goal of the season, sealing a convincing 3-0 victory.

San Jose would be particularly pleased to have achieved his first La Liga clean sheet since taking over from Inigo Perez during the summer.

The Rayo manager is now aiming to capture his first away league victory while at the club, having only collected two points from five away matches so far.

The visitors can take encouragement from the fact that they have secured wins in their last two away games against Real Sociedad, continuing a six-match unbeaten streak in their head-to-head encounters at any location.

Team News

Real Sociedad continues to be without long-term absentee Alvaro Odriozola, and there is uncertainty over Mamadou Sarr’s participation after he was replaced at half-time last Thursday due to a calf concern.

Arsen Zakharyan is working hard to regain fitness in time for Sunday’s match after missing the previous two fixtures due to injury.

Team captain Mikel Oyarzabal is anticipated to be fit for selection despite finishing the midweek draw against Lyon with some discomfort in his back.

In terms of Rayo, they will be without midfielder Oscar Valentin and forward Alvaro Garcia, both of whom are sidelined with knee and hamstring injuries respectively.

San Jose must also cope without the contributions of Augusto Batalla, Kumbulla, and Luiz Felipe, the latter of whom has been out long-term following a severe knee injury last month.

However, Rayo will welcome back Pathe Ciss after a one-match suspension due to an accumulation of yellow cards.

Real Sociedad probable starting XI:

Remiro; Aramburu, Zubeldia, Martin, Gomez; Soler, Turrientes; Kubo, Sucic, Guedes; Oyarzabal

Rayo Vallecano probable starting XI:

Audero; Ratiu, Lejeune, Mujaid, Pedrosa; Lopez, Ciss; De Frutos, Diaz, Tsitasishvili; Camello

Despite facing challenges in their recent encounters against Rayo, Real Sociedad approaches this match with the momentum of consecutive home victories, and it is believed they will leverage their home advantage to overcome a Rayo team that has suffered three defeats in five away league matches this season.