Real Sociedad vs Rayo Vallecano Prediction & Betting Tips (18 August)

1/8th finalist in the Champions last year, Real Sociedad has conversely never acted as competition for the first four spots in the championship which would have qualified it once again within the queen of competitions. Well, Sociedad finished 6th and will participate in the group stage of the next Europa League. As preparation, the Basques beat Verdy 0-2 and the Japanese from G-Osaka 0-1. On the other hand, they lost against Deportivo Alaves following a penalty shootout. Furthermore, the last three friendlies went badly with two losses against Osasuna 1-2 and against Rennes 2-0. As a last dance, Merino's teammates drew against Union Berlin 1-1, relegated from the Bundesliga.

Opposite, Rayo Vallecano is one of those teams generally playing for maintenance and the 2nd part of the table. Often tough in its lair of Vallecas, Rayo still suffered at home last season by only having the 18th best record in the elite ahead of Granada and Almeria, both relegated. We will have to show our best this season. The residents of the Madrid suburbs came up against several opponents during the preparation but it was not until the last friendly to see them win a match, against Wolves of Wolverhampton 0-1. Before that, there were three defeats against Bournemouth 1-0, Heerenveen 5-0 and Guimaraes 2-0 without forgetting two parity scores against Braga 2-2 and Cordoba 1-1. 

Before talking about the transfer window, let's talk about Sociedad's infirmary with the probable absences of Zakharyan (seriously injured) and the important Zubeldia. The captain, Mikel Oyarzabal (9 goals, 3 assists) is still in the ship like Kubo (7 goals, 4 assists) and the important midfielders Brais Mendez (5 goals, 6 assists), Merino (5 goals, 3 assists) and Zubimendi (4 pawns). Ander Barrenetxea (4 achievements) is also present. On the other hand, and here it stings, Robin Le Normand left the club to join Atlético Madrid, free departure of a very long-term absentee, Merquelanz (Eibar), Diego Rico and Alex Sola in Getafe. The full-backs Javi Galan (Atlético) and Tierney (Arsenal) have returned to their clubs. Among the arrivals, the prowess Sucic (RB Salzburg) has set down his bags along with Javi Lopez (Alaves) and Sergio Gomez (Man City). Opposite, three players could be missing, in this case, Raul de Tomas (disappointing last year), Oscar Valentin (working away from the group) and Alvaro Garcia (6 goals last year in Liga, top scorer in the squad).

The disappointing Isi Palazon (4 pawns) and Sergio Camello (3 goals in La Liga) are still at the club. The last city is not certain of being there since he participated in the Paris Games with La Roja, author of a double in the final against France, almost as many goals in 1 match as in any a season. Absent from the last preparation matches, Bebe (2 pawns last year) is not certain of playing this evening as well. In the transfer window, Pedro Diaz (Bordeaux, free) signed after a season with 7 goals and 4 assists in L2, striker Embarba (3 goals, 2 assists with Almeria) fled relegation (loan), ditto for midfielder Gumbau (35 appearances with Granada in La Liga last year) without forgetting to mention the contract-free signings of Pelayo (FC Barcelona) and Etienne Eto'o. Conversely, Kike Perez (1 goal in 24 caps last year) returned to Valladolid (end of loan), same situation for Crespo Miguel (Fenerbahce) while Radamel Falcao said stop to European football (Millonarios , Colombia) and the starting goalkeeper Dimitrievski signed freely for Valencia.