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.
The true society is making its seventh consecutive appearance in the last 16 after negotiating its first 3 rounds of the Copa del Rey.
After thrashing Jove Espanol 5-0 in their opening cup game, La Real were given a much tougher test in the second-round tie against fourth-tier Conquense, claiming a 1-0 extra-time victory to set up a meeting with Ponferradina.
The Basque team managed to lighten the draw in their clash on matchday three, Mikel Oyarzabal and Brais Méndez scored the 2-0 victory in Real Sociedad’s first outing in 2025.
LA Real showed this result with a 1-0 victory in Saturday’s home league against Villarreal, thanks to taking Kubo’s fourth goal of the season, moving them to seventh position and two problems out of doors the six most sensible.
Thanks to this narrow victory, Real Sociedad have played five of their last six competitive home games, keeping a clean sheet in those six games, so they have not conceded a goal at the Reale Arena since their 2-0 defeat to Osasuna. at the end of October.
They can also trust the fact that they have won their last 3 games of the last 16, adding a 2-0 home victory against Osasuna at this level of the festival last season.
Rayo Vallecano makes its back-to-back appearance in the circular of 16 having scored 11 goals in 3 games to prepare for the assembly on Thursday with the real partnership.
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 their third circular victory with a successful excursion in the Friday league clash opposed to Celta Vigo, with Adri Embarba and fruits scoring a purpose to obtain a 2-1 victory, transferring them to the ninth position in the classification.
Impressively, Los Franjirrojos have now avoided defeat in each of their last seven competitive matches (W4, D3) since they lost 2-1 at home to Athletic Club at the start of December.
They will be desperate to extend their unbeaten run on Thursday’s trip as the visitors win at the Reale Arena for the second time this season after picking up a 2-1 win in August’s league match.
If they can repeat this success, the Rayo will be in the quarterfinals of the Copa del Rey for the first time since 2021-22, when they qualified for the last 4 through Andoni Iraola.
Real Sociedad boss Imanol Alguacil are unable to call upon the defensive duo of Alvaro Odriozola and Hamari Traore due to quad and knee injuries respectively.
Martín Zubimendi and Aritz Elustondo will want to pass the club’s medical tests after suffering knocks in Monday’s win against Villarreal.
Defender Igor Zubeldia will get for variety after serving a one-match suspension to rack up yellow cards.
Meanwhile, Rayo would likely have to deal with 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.
Oscar Valentin can come and refresh the midfield, where he can join through Pathé Ciss, who remains in place, especially as he will have to serve a suspension of a fit for the next league in the form of Osasuna. An accumulation of yellow cards.
Real Sociedad possible starting lineup:Marrero; Aramburu, Zubeldia, Pacheco, Lopez; Kubo, Mendez, Turrientes, Sucic, Gomez; Oyarzabal
Rayo Vallecano starting line Possible: Cárdenas; Balliu, Mumin, Lejeune, Chavarria; Valentin, CISS; Of fruits, palazón, embeda; Camel
Rayo may have already won at the Reale Arena this season, but this time around, they will face a Real Sociedad side that have won five of their last six matches, and we think that the hosts will make full use of home advantage to dispatch their fellow La Liga side in Thursday’s cup fixture.
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