Real Sociedad vs Rayo Vallecano Prediction & Betting Tips (27 January)

The more time passes, the more the shock against PSG on February 14 looms and it is clear that Real Sociedad is preparing to take a step forward by playing in the knockout phase of the Champions League. The Basque team has not shown a reassuring face since the start of the calendar year but they still did the job this week to reach the last four of the Copa del Rey by beating Celta Vigo on the road 1-2 . Note that last weekend, the Reale Arena players had already beaten Vigo at Balaidos 0-1, a week after having lost the derby against Athletic Bilbao 2-1 In the ranking, they occupy 6th place and are therefore virtually qualified for Europe but the objective at the start of the season was clearly a second successive qualification in the Champions League. On the other side of the median, we see the presence of Rayo Vallecano which is gradually languishing in second part of the table after having started his 13th year rather well.

The residents of the Madrid suburbs have only won one victory in the last ten days of the championship, against Getafe, at the very beginning of January 0-2. Last weekend, against an excellent team from Las Palmas, they had no say in the score 0-2, playing the last ten minutes of regulation time outnumbered. In the Copa del Rey, Rayo qualified for the round of 16, falling to Girona 3-1.

Out injured this week against Celta, full-back Tierney (ex-Arsenal) is too short today while crucial Mikel Merino will be suspended for an accumulation of yellow cards. Recently a victim of a ruptured cruciate ligament, the important Munoz could miss the rest of the season while Martin Marquelanz (injured for months), Carlos Fernandez, Elustondo and Barrenetxea (3 goals in La Liga) will also be OUT. Same observation regarding the former resident of Real Madrid, Odriozola (recruited last summer), also injured. Selected with Japan, Take Kubo (6 goals, 3 assists in La Liga) will logically be withdrawn like Hamari Traoré (ex-Rennes) summoned with Mali for the CAN. Offensive elements like Mendez (3 goals in the Champions League), Mikel Oyarzabal (8 goals in La Liga) and the returning injury Zubimendi (4 pawns in the league) will be at the coach's disposal.

Having just arrived from Union Berlin, Becker, who had not scored in Germany, scored his first pawn of the season in the Copa del Rey this week. To stay with the transfer window, note that Javi Galan arrived on loan from Atlético Madrid. In terms of departures, Mohamed-Ali Cho was transferred to Nice and Jon Karrikaburu, sent on loan to FC Andorra (loaned to Alaves in the first half of the season).