Matchday 1/8 of the Copa del Rey between Real Sociedad and Rayo Vallecano will take place on January 16 at the Anoeta Stadium in San Sebastián. Real Sociedad vs. Rayo Vallecano: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Referee: Francisco José Hernández Maeso (Spain)
Matches – 13 (La Liga and Copa del Rey, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 55;
Average yellow cards per match – 4.2;
Red cards shown – 2;
Average fouls per match – 27;
Penalties – 23%.
Predicted lineups for Real Sociedad vs. Rayo Vallecano
Real Sociedad (4-4-2): Unai Marrero – Jon Aramburu, Jon Pacheco, Igor Zubeldia, Javi Lopez – Beñat Turrientes, Jon Ander Olasagasti, Sergio Gomez, Brais Mendez – Oihane Ouskarsen, Mikel Oyarzabal.
Rayo Vallecano (4-2-3-1): Dani Cardenas – Abdul Mumin, Ivan Balliu, Alfonso Espino, Aridan Hernandez – Oscar Valentin, Gerard Gumbau – Adrian Embarba, Oscar Trejo, Jorge de Frutos – Randy Nteka.
Each team's starting lineup from their last match in this tournament is listed.
Real Sociedad
The San Sebastián side played all three previous stages away against lower league opponents. The team did not concede a single goal, although one match required extra time to determine a winner. They overcame Jove Español (5-0), Conquense (0-0, extra time 1-0), and Ponferradina (2-0). The club has won this tournament three times, most recently in 2020, defeating Athletic 1-0. Last season, Real Sociedad reached the semi-finals, where they lost to Mallorca (0-0 and 1-1, extra time 0-0, penalties 4-5).
- The club has not lost in regular time in 10 consecutive Copa del Rey matches (7 wins, 3 draws).
- At least one team has failed to score in 90 minutes in 12 of Real Sociedad's last 14 games in this tournament.
- No more than two goals have been scored in regular time in 11 of the Basque side's last 13 Copa del Rey games.
Rayo Vallecano
Like the San Sebastián outfit, the Madrid side played all three previous rounds of the Copa del Rey away against lower division clubs. The team defeated Villamuriel (5-0), Unionistas (3-2), and Racing El Ferrol (3-1). Last season, Rayo Vallecano was eliminated at this stage, losing away to Girona 1-3. The 2021/22 season was their most successful in years, reaching the semi-finals, where they lost in a two-legged tie to Betis (1-1 and 1-2).
- The club has not lost in regular time in 14 of their last 17 Copa del Rey matches (10 wins, 4 draws).
- At least two goals have been scored in 90 minutes in 7 of Rayo Vallecano's last 8 games in this tournament.
Real Sociedad vs. Rayo Vallecano: Match Prediction
In the first round of this season's La Liga, the Madrid side managed to defeat the Basques on their turf with a 2-1 scoreline. It is also worth recalling how the opponents fared last season – 0-0 and 2-2 draws. Iñigo Perez's team will find it challenging to secure a European spot through the league, so they should aim to make an impression in the Copa del Rey. Especially since Rayo Vallecano is in good form, having not lost in their last seven official matches (4 wins, 3 draws).
It should also be noted that although the Madrid side is in the middle of the league table, they are not easy to beat. This season, the team has played 22 matches in La Liga and the Copa del Rey, losing by more than one goal only once. In the Copa del Rey, Rayo Vallecano has lost by two or more goals in regular time in only two of their last 21 away matches. Additionally, Real Sociedad has won only two of their last 11 La Liga matches by more than one goal.
My prediction – Rayo Vallecano with a handicap (+1)
