The Basque outfit got the better of fourth-tier Ponferradina in the previous round, while Rayo dispatched Segunda Division’s Racing Ferrol to continue their cup journey.
Real Sociedad reaches the round of 16 for the seventh consecutive time after overcoming the first 3 rounds of the Copa del Rey.
After beating Jove Espanol 5-0 in their first Cup match, LA Real faced a much tougher check in the opposite round at fourth division Conquense, earning a 1-0 overtime victory to set up an assembly with Ponferradina.
The Basque team managed to make a lighter draw from their third circular clash, with Mikel Oyarzabal and Brais Méndez claiming a 2-0 victory in Real Sociedad’s first outing in 2025.
The Real demonstrated that result with a 1-0 victory in the Saturday Liga League match against Villarreal, thanks to the fourth goal of the Take Kubo season, placing them in the seventh position and two points from the first six.
With the narrow victory, Real SociDad now have five of their last six competitive home games, keeping a clean sheet in all six games, meaning they have not conceded a goal at Reale Arena since losing 2-0 to Osasuna in the end. of October.
They can also gain confidence in the fact that they have won each of their last 3 ties, adding a 2-0 away win over Osasuna at this level of competition from last season.
Rayo Vallecano reach the round of 16 for the second time in a row after scoring 11 goals in 3 games to prepare for Thursday’s clash against Real Sociedad.
After beating Villamuriel 5-0, Rayo fought back from a two-goal lead to claim a 3-2 win over Unionista Salamanca at the time, before claiming a 3-1 victory over the division races at the time. . Ferrol thanks to a double from Jorge de Frutos and a shot from Pacha Espino.
They followed up their third-round win with a success in Friday’s La Liga clash opposite Celta Vigo, with Adri Embarba and De Frutos scoring a purpose to claim a 2-1 win, moving them to ninth on the board.
Impressive, the franjirrojos have avoided defeat in each of their last seven festival games (G4, E3) since they lost 2-1 at home in front of the Athletics Club in early December.
They will desperately try to extend their invincibility on Thursday’s trip, the visitors will try to win at the Reale Arena for the second time this season after winning 2-1 in August’s championship match.
If they are able to repeat that success, Rayo will progress to the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey for the first time since 2021-22 when they went all the way to the final four under Andoni Iraola.
The coach of the Royal Society, Imanol Sheriff, will not be able to count on the defensive pair formed by Álvaro Odriozola and Hamari traoré due to problems in the quadriceps and the knee respectively.
Martin Zubimendi and Aritz Elustondo will have to be evaluated by the club’s medical staff after taking knocks from Monday’s victory against Villarreal.
Defender Igor Zubeldia will be available for a change after serving a one-match suspension for accumulating yellow cards.
Meanwhile, Rayo would possibly have to do without goalkeeper Augusto Batalla, who has missed the last two games with a knee injury.
Dani Cardenas is set to make a third consecutive start between the posts, while Ivan Balliu and Espino could come into the backline for Thursday’s fixture.
Óscar Valentín could enter from the side to recompose the center of the field, where it could be incorporated through Pathé Ciss, which retains its place, especially because it will have to fulfill a sanction match for the next game of the championship against Osasuna. for accumulation of yellow cards.
Real Sociedad’s possible starting lineup: Marrero; Aramburu, Zubeldía, Pacheco, López; Kubo, Méndez, Turrients, SUCIC, GÓMEZ; Oyarzabal
Rayo Vallecano Possible Line: Cárdenas; Balliu, Mumin, Lejeune, Chavarria; Valentin, Ciss; Of fruits, palazón, impedba; Camel
Rayo may have already won at the Reale Arena this season, but this time they will face a genuine Sociedad side who have won five of their last six games, and we think the hosts will make the most of the home merit to dispatch their opponents. La Liga split from La Liga in Thursday’s Copa del Rey match.
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