Real Sociedad vs Rayo Vallecano prediction: SPAIN: LaLiga betting tips on match 2023-04-21 16:30.
Real Sociedad played out a fourth successive game that was won 2-0 by the home side on the day last time out, but they were on the wrong end of the result this time against Basque rivals and fellow European hopefuls Athletic Bilbao. That defeat opened the door for several challengers, including upcoming opponents Rayo Vallecano, to snatch the coveted fourth place and the Champions League football that comes with it.
Sociedad’s pair of wins at home to Elche (2-0) and Getafe (2-0) in that period have set them up to replicate their 2-0 away success at Vallecano in January. Their defending continues to be such a stonewalling force at home that no club ranked sixth or lower going into this round has scored twice away to Sociedad this LL season, whilst only Valladolid escaped with a victory. The remaining clubs have a winless record (D3, L7) with an average of 0.5 goals scored!
Vallecano’s fading dreams of European football next season were revived when they snapped an eight-game winless run with a vital 2-1 win at home to Osasuna, a match that manager Andoni Iraola classified as “fundamental” in its buildup. There’s still room for hope of participating in UEFA action next season, particularly if Real Madrid win the Copa del Rey final and the slot for the Europa Conference League play-off round consequently moves from sixth place to seventh.
That Osasuna win was their first LL half-time/full-time double since mid-October, which will be especially pleasing for Iraola considering Vallecano’s last three LL half-time leads all led to stalemates. Whilst their season-long LL away record was equal with their overall position of eighth heading into this round, points taken home from Barcelona (D 0-0), Atlético Madrid (D 1-1) and Villarreal (W 1-0) ought to remind them they can mix it with the best.
Players to watch: Ander Barrenetxea’s two goals for Sociedad this LL season were recorded in 2-0 wins against Elche and Vallecano, whilst Vallecano are yet to lose a LL match when Isi Palazón scores (W6, D3).
Hot streak: Sociedad’s last ten matches in all competitions each produced fewer than 2.5 total goals, whilst none were won by the away side on the day.