Having failed to qualify for the Copa del Rey quarter-finals, Real Sociedad can now fully focus on their La Liga campaign and try to improve their league position by winning this match. Rayo Vallecano remained at a safe distance from the relegation zone despite losing at home to Cordoba, but they could be in problems if they fail to get something from Anoeta.

Real Sociedad making progress

It was never going to be easy for new coach David Moyes to help Real Sociedad return to the right track, but the Scottish manager is slowing leaving his mark on the team. The La Liga triumph over mighty Barcelona remains the highlight of the campaign, but La Real have since produced few more good performances. While sharing spoils with Granada on the road, the Anoeta outfit were eliminated from Copa del Rey, but David Moyes’ charges gave a good account of themselves in the 3-2 aggregate defeat to in-form Villarreal, especially with a number of first team regulars rested in both legs. With home games against Rayo Vallecano and Eibar next, Real Sociedad will finally have a chance to seriously improve their league position and maybe even get closer to the European positions. Having shown a lot of character to twice come from behind in midweek’s clash against Villarreal, La Real will have something to build on when they host Rayo Vallecano, a team that will be very low on confidence after losing at home to relegation rivals Cordoba.

Several first team regulars will be recalled after they were rested in midweek, but David Zurutuza and Dani Estrada remain sidelined.

Rayo in problems

Rayo Vallecano have established themselves as one of the most unpredictable sides in Spanish La Liga, having rarely won the games when they were considered favourites yet surprised quite a few more illustrious teams on the road. Their 2-1-6 home record is one of the worst in the elite division, but it is good away showings that are keeping the team outside of the danger zone at the moment. Rayo have won four of nine away matches this season, even starting the new year with a triumph over Getafe. However, home loss to Cordoba that ensued acted as a major confidence blow and it remains to be seen how the team will react. And while they have so far done much better than expected on the road, Vallecano could face a difficult task when facing revived Real Sociedad, especially considering that top scorer Leo Baptistao is unlikely to recover in time to play at Anoeta. And with the team losing five of last seven matches in all competitions, another setback appears on the cards.

Top scorer Leo Baptistao looks set to miss out through injury, but the good news is defender Ze Castro has resumed full training.

Verdict

Having shown a lot of promise in matches against Getafe and Villarreal, Real Sociedad are finally expected to return to winning ways, especially with all key men available. Meanwhile, Rayo Vallecano are going through a very difficult patch and they will be without top scorer and best player Leo Baptistao.

Top pick: Home win   1.91 (10/11) @ bet365

Alternative pick 1: Both teams to score   1.90 (9/10) @ Ladbrokes

Alternative pick 2: Home win + both teams to score   4.10 (31/10) @ 888sport