Rayo Vallecano will be hoping there's a Europa League hangover for Real Sociedad as they look to boost their own prospects of continental football next season with a win in La Liga.
Los Franjirrojos only just dodged the drop last term but they've been one of La Liga's surprise packages in the new campaign and are in the thick of a fight for the European places.
A four-game run without a win has halted their momentum but three of those games were against teams in the top five – Barcelona, Villarreal and Real Madrid.
They lost 2-1 at the Bernabeu last time out, with a bet landing for me as all three goals came in the first half, but boss Inigo Perez will have taken heart from his side's display.
Rayo Vallecano now have a kinder run of games coming up and it could be a good time to face Real Sociedad after a draining Euro clash at Old Trafford on Thursday night.
Losing 4-1 to Manchester United will have hurt but Imanol Alguacil's men still have a chance of booking a return to Europe next season and a win in Madrid would move them above Rayo in the table.
How the bookies view it: Rayo have the edge
With Real Sociedad coming off the back of a trip to Manchester, they're 2/1 with BoyleSports for the win. Rayo Vallecano are slight favourites at 7/5 and the draw pays 2/1.
Recent head to head: More Vallecas joy for Real Sociedad?
This is the third meeting of these sides this season and it's honours even so far, with Rayo winning in San Sebastian in La Liga then Real Sociedad getting their revenge with a 3-1 home win in the Copa Del Rey. Vallecas has been a happy hunting ground for the Basques and they're unbeaten on their last six visits.
Players to watch: Orri out to impress
Alguacil could make a few changes to freshen things up and youngster Orri Oskarsson could start up front. The Icelandic kid has netted seven times since arriving from FC Copenhagen last summer and is 11/4 at BoyleSports for anytime scorer.
Jorge de Frutos is back after a two-game ban and that's a big boost for Rayo Vallecano with so many forwards out injured. He's 7/2 to add to his six-goal tally.
Probable line-ups
Rayo Vallecano still have a lengthy injury list, with Randy Nteka, Raul de Tomas, Isi Palazon, Joni Montiel, Abdul Mumin and Sergio Camello set to miss out.
Real Sociedad's injury issues are clearing a little but Jon Pacheco and Luka Sucic could miss out again. I'd imagine we'll see a few changes after the clash at Old Trafford.
Rayo Vallecano: Batalla, Ratiu, Chavarria, Hernandez, Espino, Lejeune, Diaz, Ciss, Gumba, Garcia, De Frutos.
Real Sociedad: Marrero, Zubeldia, Lopez, Aramburu, Aguerd, Zubimendi, Gomez, Turrientes, Marin, Oskarsson, Oyarzabal.
Anything else catch the eye?
With Rayo Vallecano hit hard by absentees up front and Real Sociedad tired after their European exertions, the bookies reckon this one won't be a thriller. Under 2.5 goals pays just 2/5 at BoyleSports, while betting against BTTS isn't much better at 8/13.
But this fixture has produced plenty of thrills so far this season, with over 2.5 goals and BTTS landing in both matches. That bet also came up on Rayo's trip to the Bernabeu last weekend when they had even more forwards sidelined so BTTS could actually offer a bit of value at 6/5 while over 2.5 strikes pays 17/10.
Backing most goals to come after the break is probably a safer bet at 23/20 with BoyleSports and that stands a chance with Alguacil's team likely to run out of gas.
The first La Liga meeting this term produced 15 corners so it could also pay to back over 9.5 flag kicks at evens.
This La Liga match between Rayo Vallecano and Real Sociedad will be played on and kick off at 17:30. Check below for our tipsters best Rayo Vallecano vs Real Sociedad prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
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