Real Sociedad vs Rayo Vallecano Predictions

• Only three sides drew more La Liga matches than Rayo Vallecano (14) last season
• Real Sociedad have won just three of their last 14 home games
• Four of the last six meetings between this pair have finished level, including both clashes last season

Vallecano vying to upset the odds again

Rayo Vallecano narrowly maintained their La Liga status last term, finishing just five points clear of the drop, while Real Sociedad secured Europa League football by finishing sixth. 

Given those finishing positions and the fact La Real earned 22 more points than Vallecano a home win would seem likely when the two meet on Sunday. 

However, Real Sociedad have won just three of their last 14 home matches, suggesting the visitors may have enough to pull off a shock in the Basque country and earn a point. 

La Real may struggle following key departures

The hosts have suffered some significant departures over the summer and there may be more to come. 

Key defender and Euro 2024 winner Robin Le Normand has left for Atletico Madrid, loanees Kieran Tierney, Andre Silva and Javi Galan also leave voids to be filled and star midfielder Mikel Merino could be on his way to Arsenal. 

Real Sociedad lost to Osasuna and Alaves over the summer and their only pre-season wins came against Japanese sides Gamba Osaka and Tokyo Verdy, suggesting they may be a bit shorter on quality than they would like with their campaign curtain-raiser on the horizon. 

Rayo Vallecano can be inconsistent but they seem to enjoy digging deep against the top sides and actually earned a point against both Real Madrid and Barcelona last term. 

Both meetings between Vallecano and Real Sociedad finished level last term and backing another stalemate could prove profitable.