Copa del Rey | Round of 16

Jan 16, 2025 at 6.30pm UK

Reale Arena

Real Sociedad vs Rayo Vallecano

Match preview

Real Sociedad are through to the last 16 of the Copa del Rey for the seventh time in a row after cruising through the first three rounds.

After thrashing Jove Espanol 5-0 in their first cup tie, La Real faced a much tougher test in the second round against fourth-tier Conquense, who won 1-0 after extra time to set up a meeting with Ponferradina.

The Basque side had an easier time of it in the third round, with Mikel Oyarzabal and Brais Mendez finding the net in a 2-0 victory in Real Sociedad's first match of 2025.

La Real followed that up with a 1-0 win at home to Villarreal on Saturday, thanks to Take Kubo's fourth goal of the season, to move up to seventh and within two points of the top six.

The narrow victory means Real Sociedad have now won five of their last six home games in all competitions, keeping clean sheets in each of those six games and not conceding at the Reale Arena since a 2-0 defeat to Osasuna at the end of October.

They can also take confidence from the fact that they have won each of their last three last-16 encounters, including a 2-0 away win over Osasuna at this stage of last season's competition.

Rayo Vallecano are in the last 16 for the second year running after scoring 11 goals in three games to set up Thursday's clash with Real Sociedad.

After crushing Villamuriel 5-0, Rayo came from two goals down to beat Unionista de Salamanca 3-2 in the second round, before a brace from Jorge de Frutos and a goal from Pacha Espino earned them a 3-1 win over second-tier Racing Ferrol.

They followed up their third-round win with a 2-1 victory over Celta Vigo in La Liga on Friday, with Adri Embarba and De Frutos both scoring to lift them to ninth in the table.

Impressively, Los Franjirrojos have now avoided defeat in each of their last seven competitive matches (W4, D3) since losing 2-1 at home to Athletic Club in early December.

They will be desperate to extend their unbeaten run on the road on Thursday, with the visitors looking to win at the Reale Arena for the second time this season after a 2-1 league victory in August.

Should they do so, Rayo will reach the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey for the first time since 2021-22, when they reached the last four under Andoni Iraola.

Recent Performance

Real Sociedad Copa del Rey form:WWW

Real Sociedad form (all competitions):WWDLWW

Rayo Vallecano Copa del Rey form:WWW

Rayo Vallecano form (all competitions):WDDDWW

Team News

Real Sociedad coach Imanol Alguacil will be without the services of defensive pair Alvaro Odriozola and Hamari Traore due to quad and knee injuries respectively.

Martin Zubimendi and Aritz Elustondo will be assessed by the club's medical staff after picking up knocks in Monday's win over Villarreal.

Defender Igor Zubeldia will be available after serving a one-match ban for accumulating yellow cards.

Meanwhile, Rayo will be without goalkeeper Augusto Batalla, who has missed the last two games with a knee injury.

Dani Cardenas is set to make his third consecutive start between the sticks, while Ivan Balliu and Espino could come into the backline for Thursday's clash.

Oscar Valentin could be brought into the side to freshen up the midfield, where he could be joined by Pathe Ciss, who is expected to retain his place, especially as he faces a one-match ban for accumulating yellow cards in the upcoming league match against Osasuna.

Possible starting lineup

Real Sociedad possible starting lineup:

Marrero; Aramburu, Zubeldia, Pacheco, Lopez; Kubo, Mendez, Turrientes, Sucic, Gomez; Oyarzabal

Rayo Vallecano possible starting lineup:

Cardenas; Balliu, Mumin, Lejeune, Chavarria; Valentin, Ciss; De Frutos, Palazon, Embarba; Camello