La Liga | Gameweek 28

Mar 16, 2025 at 5.30pm UK

Estadio de Vallecas

Rayo Vallecano vs Real Sociedad

Match preview

Rayo have been one of the teams of the season in La Liga, with the capital side making a strong push for European football next season, but their recent struggles have seen them drop from sixth to eighth in the table.

Los Franjirrojos have taken just one point from their last four games, a draw at home to Sevilla, but their defeats have come against three excellent sides in Barcelona, Villarreal and Real Madrid.

Inigo Perez's men have won nine, drawn nine and lost nine of their 27 league games this term, leaving them in eighth place, five points behind sixth-placed Real Betis and just three points ahead of Osasuna in 14th.

A strong campaign could turn into a disappointing one if their form does not improve, but there were plenty of positive signs in their 2-1 defeat to reigning champions Real Madrid last weekend.

Rayo have taken 19 points from their 13 home league games this season and will welcome a Real Sociedad side who have lost seven of their 13 away league games in 2024-25.

Real Sociedad took an early lead against Man United in the second leg of their Europa League last-16 tie on Thursday night, but conceded four times in a 5-2 aggregate defeat that ended their European campaign.

The Basque side have now lost four of their last five games in all competitions, including three of their last four in La Liga, with Real Betis, Barcelona and Sevilla all beating them in the last month.

Imanol Alguacil's side have slipped to 11th in the standings, some 10 points behind fifth-placed Villarreal and 15 points behind fourth-placed Athletic Bilbao, a reflection of their struggles.

Real Sociedad have struggled mightily to find the back of the net this season, scoring just 23 times in 27 games, the second-worst attacking record in the league behind basement club Real Valladolid (18).

The White and Blues, meanwhile, are winless in their last three league meetings with Rayo, having been beaten 2-1 in the reverse fixture earlier this season.

Recent Perfromance

Rayo Vallecano La Liga form:WWLLDL

Real Sociedad La Liga form:LWLWLL

Real Sociedad form (all competitions):WLLDLL

Team News

Rayo will welcome back Jorge de Frutos after his recent suspension, but Jonathan Montiel, Raul de Tomas, Abdul Mumin, Randy Nteka, Isi Palazon and Sergio Camello will all miss out.

De Frutos will return to the side in an attacking role, but otherwise it could be the same team that kicked off against Real Madrid, given their impressive performance.

Alvaro Garcia is expected to operate in the middle of the park for the capital side, while Pedro Diaz, who got on the scoresheet at the Bernabeu last time out, is also likely to feature in the number 10 position.

For Real Sociedad, Nayef Aguerd and Takefusa Kubo are available after missing the league game at Barcelona through suspension, but Alvaro Odriozola, Luka Sucic and Jon Pacheco are all injured.

Aritz Elustondo will also miss out due to his red card against Barcelona, but Jon Aramburu is available as his red card against Man United does not apply to domestic fixtures.

Alguacil is likely to make changes from the energy-sapping clash with Man United, with Hamari Traore, Benat Turrientes and Ander Barrenetxea all likely to come into the side, while Mikel Oyarzabal, fresh from his Old Trafford goal, should continue in the final third.

Possible starting lineup

Rayo Vallecano possible starting lineup:

Batalla; Ratiu, Lejeune, Hernandez, Espino; Ciss, Gumbau; Embarba, Diaz, De Frutos; A Garcia

Real Sociedad possible starting lineup:

Remiro; Traore, Zubeldia, Aguerd, Munoz; Benat, Zubimendi, Marin; Barrenetxea, Oyarzabal, Becker