Celta Vigo vs Rayo Vallecano Preview: Team News & Prediction
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This is a vital contest in the race for a top seven or eight finish and potential European qualification from La Liga this weekend as Celta Vigo face Rayo Vallecano at Balaidos.
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 Celta Vigo vs Rayo Vallecano may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
How to watch online: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN+
Celta Vigo preview: Celta’s push
Celta Vigo come into this one on the back of a 1-0 defeat of Real Sociedad at the Reale Arena in the Basque Country in midweek thanks to a 44th minute winning goal from Alfon in a game in which La Real, surprisingly and unusually, dominated the match throughout.
Celta, coached by Claudio Giraldez, have been thrilling to watch in the last 12 months but, as they now chase UEFA Europa League qualification, have become a little more cautious, as they now win three of their last four matches in La Liga.
Rayo Vallecano preview: Rayo’s push
With Andoni Iraola’s former assistant coach Inigo Perez at the helm, Rayo Vallecano have been brilliant to watch this season with an aggression and intensity akin to that of Andoni Iraola’s style as they begin the weekend sitting tucked inside the top eight in La Liga.
They had endured a really poor run of form through the spring before recent back-to-back victories but they were denied a third successive win in midweek as Real Betis came back from 2-0 down in the second-half to share the spoils in an entertaining clash at Vallecas.
Celta Vigo team news: Nothing fresh
There are no fresh injury concerns or suspension issues for Celta Vigo to deal with ahead of the visit of Rayo to Balaidos this weekend. They do remain without former Celtic and Sweden international centre-back Carl Starfelt due to injury.
Predicted XI (3-4-3): Vicente Guaita; Javi Rodriguez, Carlos Dominguez, Ristic; Oscar Mingueza, Fran Beltran, Ilaix Moriba, Sergio Carreira; Fer Lopez, Borja Iglesias, Alfon
Unavailable: Starfelt (Injured)
Questionable: Jailson (Injured)
Rayo Vallecano team news: Ciss & Nteka return
Rayo defensive midfielder Pathe Ciss has returned to full fitness for this weekend alongside striker Randy Nteka. The visitors do remain without centre-back Abdul Mumin due to an ACL injury as well as striker Sergio Camello due to a toe issue.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Auguste Batalla; Balliu, Lejeune, Aridane, Pep Chavarria; Ciss, Pablo Diaz; Ratiu, Isi Palazon, Alvaro Garcia; Jorge de Frutos
Unavailable: Mumin (Injured), Sergio Camello (Injured)
Questionable:
Celta Vigo vs Rayo Vallecano prediction
Celta Vigo have been brilliant to watch with former B team coach Claudio Giraldez gaining plaudits throughout his tenure in Galicia. They have won three of their last four games with their last two defeats coming against Barcelona when they were 3-1 up and the other in a 3-2 loss at the Bernabeu against Real Madrid. They now face a Rayo side that are still pushing for Europe and could even catch Celta with two games to go so this should be a fun watch for the neutral at Balaidos.
Celta Vigo vs Rayo Vallecano tip: Both teams to score
