Celta Vigo vs Rayo Vallecano Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 Spanish Primera
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THE FACTS
When is Celta Vigo vs Rayo Vallecano on and what time does it start? Celta Vigo vs Rayo Vallecano will take place on Sunday 31st March, 2024 – 13:00 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Celta Vigo vs Rayo Vallecano? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What TV channel is Celta Vigo vs Rayo Vallecano on in the UK? Celta Vigo vs Rayo Vallecano will be televised live on LaLigaTV, but La Liga matches are also televised occasionally on Viaplay Sports and ITV
Where can I stream Celta Vigo vs Rayo Vallecano in the UK? Celta Vigo vs Rayo Vallecano can be streamed live on Viaplay, while ITV matches can be streamed live on ITVX
THE LOWDOWN
CELTA VIGO
Celta Vigo finally took the decision to replace former Liverpool and Real Madrid boss Rafa Benitez. The Galicians were hammered 4-0 by Benitez’ former club and champions-elect Real Madrid a few weeks ago with Celta hovering just above the bottom three and the relegation places but they did manage a surprise victory in the first match of the Claudio Giraldez-reign.
Claudio Giraldez took his northerners to the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan in Andalusia a couple of weeks ago before the March international break and they fell behind to Sevilla after an 18th minute strike from Youssef En-Nesyri. However, Carles Perez and Jorgen Strand Larsen scored late goals to turn the game on its head.
RAYO VALLECANO
After a turbulent summer transfer window in which Rayo Vallecano lost their manager as well as some crucial players, the Madrid-based club started the season well before a sustained fizzle saw them tumble down the table before Francisco was eventually sacked last month and replaced by the former assistant of Andoni Iraola, 33-year-old Inigo Perez.
Perez’ first match saw Rayo impressively hold Real Madrid to a point but the pressure quickly rose as they then collected a point and scored one goal from games against Girona, Cadiz and Alaves. However, prior to the March international break, they pulled off an impressive and much-needed 2-0 defeat of Real Betis with goals from Florian Lejeune and Sergio Camello.
THE TEAM NEWS
CELTA VIGO
Celta have a few absentees for this weekend’s visit of Rayo as the likes of Williot Swedberg, Javi Manquillo, Renato Tapia and Mihailo Ristic are unavailable.
PREDICTED XI (5-3-2): Guaita; Mingueza, Vazquez, Starfelt, Nunez, Sanchez; De la Torre, Beltran, Bamba; Aspas, Strand Larsen
UNAVAILABLE: Manquillo (Injured), Swedberg (Injured), Tapia (Injured), Ristic (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Dotor (Injured)
RAYO VALLECANO
Both Florian Lejeune and Raul de Tomas are missing this one through suspension with the likes of Kike Perez and Aridane Hernandez unavailable due to injury.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Dimitrievski; Balliu, Mumin, Ratiu, Chavarria; Lopez, Valentin; De Frutos, Palazon, Garcia; Trejo
UNAVAILABLE: De Tomas (Suspended), Lejeune (Suspended), Perez (Injured), Aridane (Injured), Mendez (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
THE PREDICTION
This is a huge game down at the bottom end of the table. Celta really should have pulled themselves away from the bottom three but their 2-1 defeat of Sevilla has reignited the hope that they will comfortably survive. A victory at home to Rayo propel them above the capital city club but the visitors are coming into this on the back of their own much-needed win. Celta will get on the front foot and Inigo Perez’ Iraola-inspired style of football for Rayo means this should be quite entertaining for the neutral.
TIP: BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE
