Real Sociedad will be bidding to get their 2024-25 La Liga campaign off to the best possible start when they welcome Rayo Vallecano to Anoeta Stadium on Sunday night.
The hosts finished sixth in La Liga last term to secure a spot in the league phase of this season's Europa League, while Rayo ended the campaign in 17th, five points above the relegation zone.
Match preview
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Real Sociedad were unable to make it back-to-back top-four finishes in Spain's top flight last term, but they still claimed sixth, while an impressive Champions League campaign saw them make the round of 16.
The Basque outfit are preparing to compete in the Europa League this term, but their immediate focus will be on La Liga, with Rayo their opponents on the opening weekend of the new campaign, before taking on Espanyol (A) and Alaves (H) before the end of the month.
Imanol Alguacil's side have made three signings this summer, bringing in Luka Sucic, Sergio Gomez and Javi Lopez, while their biggest departure has been Robin Le Normand to Atletico Madrid.
Real Sociedad have managed to keep hold of Martin Zubimendi, though, with the midfielder recently turning down a move to Liverpool, and he is set to remain at the club for at least another campaign.
There remains speculation surrounding the future of Arsenal-linked Mikel Merino, which could force the team into the transfer market before it closes, but the squad certainly looks strong enough to challenge for a European position in Spain's top flight once again.
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Rayo, meanwhile, are preparing for their fourth straight season in Spain's top flight, but they came close to being relegated last term, finishing down in 17th, five points ahead of the bottom three.
Los Franjirrojos are enjoying their best run of top-flight action since 2016, and they have managed to boost their squad this summer with the arrivals of Pedro Diaz, Pelayo Fernandez, Gerard Gumbau and Adri Embarba.
Andres Martin has been their biggest departure in terms of a transfer fee, but Stole Dimitrievski, Radamel Falcao and Jose Pozo have also moved on since the end of last season.
Inigo Perez's side actually held Real Sociedad to draws in both league meetings last season, but they have not managed to overcome the Basque outfit in Spain's top flight since January 2015, which is an indication of the size of their task in this weekend's contest.
The Madrid-based outfit picked up a respectable 18 points on their travels in the league last season, while Real Sociedad had the eighth-best home record, collecting 30 points from 19 matches.
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Team News
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Real Sociedad will be missing Arsen Zakharyan, Igor Zubeldia and Aihen Munoz for their campaign opener, but Zubimendi is available, and with the midfielder set to stay this summer, he is in line to feature in midfield.
At this stage, the same cannot be said for Merino, who continues to be linked with Arsenal, and the Spaniard could therefore find himself out of the starting side on Sunday evening.
Real Sociedad are expected to have two debutants in their side, with Sucic and Gomez in line to start, while Mikel Oyarzabal is set to lead the line, fresh from scoring the winner in the Euro 2024 final for Spain against England.
As for Rayo, head coach Perez is likely to be without Diego Mendez due to a ligament issue, but the visitors are otherwise expected to have a full squad available for their campaign opener.
Sergio Camello is back in training after helping Spain win Olympic gold in Paris, with the 23-year-old scoring twice in the final against France, and he is set to lead the Rayo line here.
Gumbau and Embarba should make their debuts from the first whistle, but fellow new arrivals Diaz and Fernandez are likely to be among the substitutes for the first game of the new season.
Real Sociedad possible starting lineup:
Remiro; Oyarzabal, Elustondo, Pacheco, Gomez; Zubimendi, Sucic; Kubo, Mendez, Barrenetxea; Oyarzabal
Rayo Vallecano possible starting lineup:
Cardenas; Balliu, Aridane, Lejeune, Mumin; Palazon, Ciss, Gumbau, De Frutos; Trejo; Camello
We say: Real Sociedad 1-0 Rayo Vallecano
Rayo picked up points in 10 of their 19 away league games last season, while Real Sociedad only won eight of their 19 fixtures in front of their own supporters in Spain's top flight. That said, we are expecting Real Sociedad to open their campaign with a narrow victory on Sunday evening.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Matt Law
