Real Sociedad will be bidding to make it nine straight wins in all competitions when they resume their La Liga campaign away to Rayo Vallecano on Saturday afternoon.
The visitors are currently third in the table, boasting 35 points from their 17 league games this season, while Rayo occupy ninth, having picked up 26 points during a positive first half of the campaign.
Match preview
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Rayo had a difficult start to 2023, losing 2-0 to Sporting Gijon in the Copa del Rey before suffering a 2-1 defeat to Real Betis in the league, but they managed to return to winning ways last time out.
Indeed, Andoni Iraola's side beat Real Valladolid 1-0 last Saturday courtesy of a second-half effort from Isi Palazon, and the result has left the team in ninth position in the table on 26 points.
Rayo are only actually two points behind fourth-placed Atletico Madrid, while they have won seven times in the league this season, which is a strong record for a side that were only promoted back to this level for the 2021-22 campaign.
Los Franjirrojos are competing in back-to-back La Liga seasons for the first time since 2016, and it would be a shock to see them pulled into any sort of relegation trouble this term considering their level of performances in the first half of this campaign.
Rayo have actually only lost one of their last four La Liga games against Real Sociedad, although three of those have been draws, and they have not managed to overcome the Basque outfit since January 2015.
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Real Sociedad on a roll at the moment, and they secured their spot in the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey on Tuesday night courtesy of a 1-0 victory over fellow La Liga outfit Mallorca.
Robert Navarro's fifth-minute effort proved to be the difference between the two sides in Sen Sebastian, and the win was the team's eighth in a row in all competitions during a brilliant run of form.
Imanol Alguacil's side have won each of their last four in the league against Sevilla, Osasuna, Almeria and Athletic Bilbao, which has left them in third spot in the table, boasting 35 points from their opening 17 games.
Real Sociedad are seven points clear of fourth-placed Atletico Madrid, while they are only three points behind second-placed Real Madrid, although the reigning champions do have a game in hand.
The White and Blues have not finished in La Liga's top four since 2012-13, while they have not been higher than fourth since 2002-03, so it would be a huge achievement to secure a top-three position.
Real Sociedad have the third-best away record in the league this season, boasting 18 points from eight matches, but Rayo have been solid at home, claiming 14 points from eight games.
Team News
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Rayo remain without the services of Ruben de Tomas due to a tendon problem, but the home side are otherwise in strong shape heading into Saturday's contest.
Head coach Iraola has big decisions to make when it comes to team selection, with Oscar Trejo and Radamel Falcao both pushing to return to the starting XI for this match.
It seems likely that Sergio Camello will again lead the attack, but Trejo could come in for Unai Lopez in potentially the only alteration from the side that started against Real Valladolid last time out.
As for Real Sociedad, key midfielder Martin Zubimendi will miss out through suspension, having been booked in the victory over Athletic in the league last time out.
Meanwhile, Ander Guevara, Benat Turrientes, Alex Sola and Martin Merquelanz remain on the sidelines due to fitness problems.
Asier Illarramendi could take Zubimendi's spot in central midfield, and there will be returns to the starting side for Takefusa Kubo, David Silva, Diego Rico and Igor Zubeldia following the Copa del Rey clash with Mallorca.
Rayo Vallecano possible starting lineup:
Dimitrievski; Balliu, Lejeune, Catena, F Garcia; Comesana, Valentin; Palazon, Trejo, A Garcia; Camello
Real Sociedad possible starting lineup:
Remiro; Elustondo, Zubeldia, Le Normand, Rico; Illarramendi, Mendez, D Silva, Merino; Kubo, Sorloth
We say: Rayo Vallecano 1-1 Real Sociedad
This is a really tough match to call, as Rayo have only lost twice at home in the league this season, while Real Sociedad have won six of their eight La Liga fixtures on their travels. It would not be a surprise to see an away win, but this fixture has often produced draws in recent seasons, and we are backing a 1-1 here.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Matt Law
