Real Sociedad seeks to establish itself in the 'Champions' and Betis defends Europe against Rayo

Sevilla wants to get closer to the zone of permanence against Getafe

MADRID, 7 Ene. (EUROPA PRESS) -

Real Sociedad, third-placed in LaLiga Santander, seeks this Sunday its third consecutive victory in the domestic competition against Almería (2:00 p.m.), on a sixteenth day in which Real Betis defends its European place against contender Rayo Vallecano (4:15 p.m. hours) and in which Sevilla craves a win against Getafe that will bring them closer to the safety zone (6:30 p.m.).

Imanol Alguacil's men, who advanced to the round of 16 in the Cup against UD Logroñés (0-1) during the week, return to the domestic championship in search of another victory to add to those signed against Sevilla (1-2) and Osasuna (2 -0) at the end of 2022.

With 29 points, they are nine behind Barça and Real Madrid and have four ahead of the first of the contenders for the 'Champions' positions, Athletic Club. Now, they will travel to Andalusia without the suspended Brais Méndez and without the injured Martín Merquelanz, Carlos Fernández, Umar Sadiq -who will not be able to face his former team- and Álex Sola, and with the doubts of the headdresses Mohamed-Ali Cho and Beñat Turrientes .

Almería, which arrives without absences and clings to its strength at home -full of victories in the last four days-, sealed a draw with Cádiz (1-1) last week that allowed it to continue putting distance with the lower zone , four points below his 17.

In Vallecas, Real Betis needs to end a series of three dates without winning to be able to stay in sixth place, the last one to access continental competitions. With 25 units, Manuel Pellegrini's men only manage one rental over Villarreal and two over Osasuna and, precisely, their rival this Sunday.

And it is that the rayistas (23) hope to get rid of the bad taste in their mouths from their cup elimination at the hands of Real Sporting de Gijón (2-0) and continue their good progress in LaLiga, where they have been scoring seven consecutive days, with three wins and four draws, the last against Girona (2-2).

The Verdiblancos will lose Luiz Felipe, due to suspension, and Youssouf Sabaly, Paul Akouokou and Juan Cruz, due to injury, while Andoni Iraola will have all his men available, with the only unknown being Raúl de Tomás, who has trained with the group still without medical discharge.

Finally, Sevilla is looking forward to a victory against Getafe at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán that will give it life to try to get closer to the zone of permanence. Jorge Sampaoli's men (12) have not prevailed in the league competition since October 15, and since then they have linked three defeats and two draws that leave them two points from salvation.

Without Alex Telles, 'Tecatito' Corona, Karim Rekik, Thomas Delaney, Marcao or 'Papu' Gómez, all injured, nor the suspended Gonzalo Montiel and José Ángel Carmona, the Nervionenses have the novelty of Loïc Badé.

The azulón team (17), eliminated from the Cup by Levante and with the only absence of Mauro Arambarri, can now focus on their league duties and will try to increase their income over dangerous positions against a direct rival, continuing their triumph against Mallorca (2-0).

Almería-Real Sociedad. Alberola Rojas (C. Cast-manchego) 14.00.

Vallecano Lightning-Betis. Diaz de Mera Escuderos (C.Cast-manchego)

Seville-Getafe. Martínez Munuera (C.Valenciano) 18.30.

Athletic of Madrid-FC Barcelona. Munuera Montero (C. Andalusian) 21.00.