Atletico Madrid vs Rayo Vallecano Preview: Team News & Prediction
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It has been a really poor start to the campaign for Atletico Madrid as they now prepare for a capital city derby against Rayo Vallecano at the Metropolitano this week.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN have the exclusive rights to La Liga games in the USA, so Atletico Madrid vs Rayo Vallecano may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
How to watch online: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN+
Atletico Madrid preview: Frustrated Atleti
The pressure is growing on Diego Simeone and the Argentine is surely beginning to feel it. Los Rojiblancos have managed just one victory in their opening six matches across all competitions, sitting in the bottom-half of La Liga after five matches.
Their average form continued in the Balearic Islands last weekend as they shared a 1-1 draw with Real Mallorca at Son Moix, with Vedat Muriqi cancelling out Conor Gallagher’s opener after Alexander Sorloth had been sent off.
Rayo Vallecano preview: Intense Rayo
With former assistant to Andoni Iraola, Inigo Perez, at the helm, Rayo Vallecano are back to playing an excellent and intense, pressing style of football that allows them to swarm and suffocate sides, qualifying for Europe last season.
Domestic and European commitments may be difficult for Rayo to deal with due to that intense style of football. They are winless in their four La Liga matches since the opening day but have played quite well, including in their 1-1 draw against Celta Vigo.
Atletico Madrid team news: Sorloth suspended
As a result of that red card received against the Majorcans, Norway international striker Alexander Sorloth is now missing through suspension for Atleti, whilst both Johnny Cardoso and Alex Baena remain injury doubts for the hosts.
Predicted XI (4-4-2): Oblak; Marcos Llorente, Le Normand, Lenglet, Hancko; Gonzalez, Koke, Pablo Barrios, Gallagher; Julian Alvarez, Raspadori
Unavailable: Jose Maria Gimenez (Injured), Almada (Injured), Sorloth (Suspended)
Questionable: Johnny (Injured), Alex Baena (Injured)
Rayo Vallecano team news: Defensive injuries
Abdul Mumin has been sidelined for a while due to an ACL injury and he is now sidelined alongside fellow centre-back Luiz Felipe, whilst Nobel Mendy is a doubt.
Predicted XI (4-4-2): Augusto Batalla; Ratiu, Lejeune, Ciss, Alfonso Espino; Jorge de Frutos, Pablo Diaz, Oscar Valentin, Alvaro Garcia; Sergio Camello, Isi Palazon
Unavailable: Mumin (Injured), Luiz Felipe (Injured), Nteka (Injured)
Questionable: Mendy (Injured)
Atletico Madrid vs Rayo Vallecano prediction
Atletico Madrid appear to just lack any sort of clue or idea about the way in which they want to play. Diego Simeone has been given a lot of money to evolve the style in recent years but he has failed to do so. They face a Rayo side that will head to the Metropolitano looking to get on the front foot and they are not the type of team you want to be playing when you are feeling a little fragile, and siding with the visitors would appear good value.
Atletico Madrid vs Rayo Vallecano tip: Double chance – Rayo Vallecano to win or draw
