STRONG HOME FORM INSPIRES 12 POINTS FROM 15 AT THE RAMÓN SÁNCHEZ-PIZJUÁN

It was clear that our home games would prove crucial in our run-in to the Christmas break. Fortunately, the team have done well with the most recent three points after the win last night against Rayo Vallecano. Home form has been a strong point with wins against Getafe CF (1-0), Real Valladolid (2-1), Real Betis (1-0) and now Rayo Vallecano (1-0) to make it 12 points from 15 at home in the league. The only defeat was 2-0 against Real Sociedad before the most recent international break. 

In 3/4 of the matches, the wins have come together with a clean sheet as the defence continues to build confidence. Reaches four wins at home in the season is something the first-team have struggled with over the past two seasons, not reaching the figure until Matchday 27 on March 2 in 2023/24 and Matchday 16 in 2022/23, although the latter was affected by the winter break for the FIFA World Cup.

Thoughts now turn to facing CA Osasuna at home in a week's time, a team that have made a very impressive start to the season and currently find themselves in the European place - four points ahead of García Pimienta's side. A win would make it 15 points from 18 at home. There is then only final home game before Christmas with RC Celta de Vigo visiting Nervión in what will be an emotional day as Jesús Navas bids farewell in his final game after more than 700 appearances for the club. Looking ahead to 2025 the first home game of the new year at the Sánchez-Pizjuán will be against Valencia CF on the second weekend of January.