Here is a comprehensive preview of two pivotal La Liga fixtures on Sunday, October 5, 2025. First is a battle for survival for struggling Real Sociedad against Rayo Vallecano in the Basque region. Second is titans of defense clashing as winless Celta Vigo hosts resilient Atlético Madrid.

These two games have massive reputations to protect for both teams. Atlético Madrid are looking to keep their perfect run of form going, while Celta Vigo are desperate to avoid an early-season relegation scrap.

• Date: Sunday, October 5th, 2025

• Kick-off Time: 14:00 UTC (16:00 CEST)

• Venue: Reale Arena, San Sebastian

• Competition: La Liga (Matchday 8)

Real Sociedad struggled with a poor start to the season following the departure of their experienced head coach.

• Form: La Real's current total is just five points behind their first seven matches (W1, D2, L4). Their last ten form is L-W-L-L-L.

• Analysis: Basque teams are finding it hard to be consistent and have been repeating the bad start to their 2024/25 campaign. Recent hard-earned points away from home against Mallorca (1-0) and Espanyol (2-2) aside, their defensive weaknesses are still a concern, and goals conceded in the final hour of the game have been extremely costly to them.

• Home Form: They will be confident of another home victory this term, but they need to get past the pressure of playing in front of their home support.

Rayo Vallecano go to the game with new confidence following a good European display but continued to be without a league win for six games.

• Form: Rayo have made a bumpy beginning to the season (W1, D2, L4) but got some badly needed confidence with a 2-0 UEFA Conference League victory over KF Shkendija 79 recently.

• Analysis: Rayo's recent league form is a letdown (L-L-D-L-D), with conceded goals after the 60th minute costing them dearly in their last three away games. This side has been strong headed but need to translate their cup performance on to La Liga.

This has been a close one in recent times, with the majority of recent history consisting of a high number of draws.

• Home Trend: Of the last eight league meetings between the teams hosted by Real Sociedad, seven were drawn or decided by a one-goal margin.

• Goals Expected: Both teams have found the net in five of Real Sociedad's seven matches this season.

Injuries & Suspensions: Real Sociedad have several injury worries, with Jon Martin and Orri Oscarsson two of them. Aritz Elustondo and Yangel Herrera will also miss out. Rayo Vallecano will lose one player to suspension and Abdul Mumin and Randy Nteka to injury.

Real Sociedad Projected XI (4-1-4-1):

• Remiro, Odriozola, Zubeldia, Caleta-Car, Muñoz, Zubimendi, Kubo, Brais Méndez, Arsen Zakharyan, Mikel Oyarzabal, André Silva.

Rayo Vallecano Predicted XI (4-4-2):

• Batalla, Ratiu, Lejeune, Ciss, Chavarria, Unai López, Óscar Trejo, Isi Palazón, Raúl de Tomás, Álvaro García, Sergio Camello.

• Oyarzabal vs. Lejeune: Real Sociedad captain Mikel Oyarzabal will be the attacking focal point, testing the physical defense organized by Rayo veteran Florian Lejeune.

• Sociedad Possession vs. Rayo Discipline: Real Sociedad will attempt to dominate possession and use their imagination to unpick Rayo's well-organized defensive setup.

• The Second Half: Both teams have issues maintaining form after the hour mark, making the final 30 minutes critical for the result.

• Date: Sunday, October 5th, 2025

• Kick-off Time: 17:00 UTC (19:00 CEST)

• Venue: Estadio de Balaídos, Vigo

• Competition: La Liga (Matchday 8)

Celta Vigo is battling to avoid an early-season relegation struggle.

• Form: Celta Vigo is one of only two teams not to have won a La Liga game this term (D5, L2). Their most recent disappointment came in the form of a 2-1 defeat at Elche.

• Historical Warning: They have been winless following seven top-flight matches only twice previously in history, and that resulted in relegation during 1982/83.

• Morale Boost: Their midweek UEFA Europa League 3-1 victory over PAOK was no doubt a morale boost, but short of a win in five home league matches, there is a great deal they have to prove.

Atlético Madrid are in scintillating general form.

• Form: Atlético has left their slow start in the rearview mirror with three of their last four league games (D1), including a breathtaking 5-2 win over Real Madrid last Saturday.

• European Domination: They followed up the derby win with a comprehensive 5-1 thrashing of Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League, scoring five in consecutive games.

• Key Milestone: Antoine Griezmann scored his first-ever 200 club goals in the game against Frankfurt.

Atlético Madrid has a one-sided record in this game, particularly in recent years.

• Atlético's Dominance: Atlético is unbeaten in the last 13 head-to-head games against Celta Vigo (W9, D4).

• Defensive Record: Four of Atlético's last five league wins over Celta have come with a clean sheet.

Injuries & Suspensions: Celta Vigo has no new significant injury concerns but will monitor players after their Europa League match. Atlético Madrid has the return of regulars like José María Giménez and Thiago Almada from injury but lack Antoine Griezmann due to suspension/injury problems.

Celta Vigo Predicted XI (4-3-3):

• Villar, Mallo, Starfelt, Domínguez, Sánchez, Beltrán, Tapia, Veiga, Aspas, Larsen, Swedberg.

Atlético Madrid Predicted XI (4-4-2):

• Oblak, Hancko, Lenglet, Le Normand, Llorente, De Paul, Barrios, Koke, Riquelme, Morata, Griezmann.

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Real Sociedad entered this match as marginal favorite based on home benefit and points desperation. However, Rayo's recent cup form and set-piece expertise render them dangerous, and the extreme prevalence of draws in this game is a telling stat. With both sides defensively shaky after sixty minutes, an equal-scores draw is most likely.

• Final Score Prediction: Real Sociedad 1 - 1 Rayo Vallecano

Atlético Madrid are the favourites. Their current form, coupled with their commanding record against Celta (13 games unbeaten), is too strong to overcome. Celta will fight it out at home, but Atlético's clinical attacking line and the know-how of players like Griezmann will ensure they pick up crucial three points.

• Final Score Prediction: Atlético Madrid 2 - 0 Celta Vigo

Both of these La Liga matches have enormous significance for both tables. A victory for Atlético Madrid will still keep them alive in the title hunt, and any other result but a victory for Real Sociedad will deepen their crisis. The stage is set for a day of high-stakes drama and top-level football.