Round of 16 match in the Spanish Cup 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.
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 – Orri Oskarsson, 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.
The starting lineup for each team in their previous match in this tournament is listed.
Real Sociedad
The San Sebastián team played all three previous stages away against lower league opponents. Although the team did not concede a single goal, one match went beyond 90 minutes to determine the winner. The Basques defeated Jove Español (5-0), Conquense (0-0, extra time 1-0), and Ponferradina (2-0). The club has won this tournament three times, with the last victory occurring 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, on penalties 4-5).
- The club has not lost in regular time in 10 consecutive matches in the Spanish Cup (7 wins and 3 draws).
- At least one team has failed to score in 12 of Real Sociedad's last 14 games in this tournament after 90 minutes.
- No more than two goals have been scored in regular time in 11 of the last 13 matches of the Basques in the Copa del Rey.
Rayo Vallecano
Like the San Sebastián team, the Madrid side played all three previous rounds of the Spanish Cup away against clubs from lower divisions. The team defeated Villamuriel (5-0), Unionistas (3-2), and Racing El Ferrol (3-1). In the previous edition, Rayo Vallecano was stopped at this stage, losing away to Girona 1-3. The most successful season in recent years was 2021/22, when the team reached the semi-finals, losing to Betis in two legs (1-1 and 1-2).
- The club has not lost in regular time in 14 of the last 17 matches in the Copa del Rey (10 wins and 4 draws).
- At least two goals have been scored in 7 of Rayo Vallecano's last 8 games in this tournament after 90 minutes.
Real Sociedad vs. Rayo Vallecano: Match Prediction
In the first round of the current La Liga season, the Madrid team managed to defeat the Basques on their field with a score of 2-1. It is also worth recalling how the opponents performed last season – draws of 0-0 and 2-2. It will be difficult for Iñigo Pérez's side to secure a spot in European competitions through the league, so they should try to make their mark in the Copa del Rey. Especially since Rayo Vallecano is in good form and has not lost in seven official matches (4 wins and 3 draws).
It is also worth noting that although the Madrid team 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 Spanish Cup, and only once have they lost by more than one goal. In the Copa del Rey, Rayo Vallecano has only lost by two or more goals in regular time twice in 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)
