Rayo Vallecano vs Mallorca Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 Spanish Primera
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
THE FACTS
When is Rayo Vallecano vs Mallorca on and what time does it start? Rayo Vallecano vs Mallorca will take place on Saturday 30th September, 2023 – 15:15 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Rayo Vallecano vs Mallorca? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What TV channel is Rayo Vallecano vs Mallorca on in the UK? Rayo Vallecano vs Mallorca will be televised live on LaLigaTV, but La Liga matches are also televised occasionally on Viaplay Sports and ITV
Where can I stream Rayo Vallecano vs Mallorca in the UK? Rayo Vallecano vs Mallorca can be streamed live on Viaplay, while ITV matches can be streamed live on ITVX
THE LOWDOWN
RAYO VALLECANO
Over the summer transfer window, Rayo Vallecano lost several key players with Alejandro Catena, Fran Garcia and Santi Comesana all departing Vallecas, as well as their miracle worker manager Andoni Iraola. The appointment of Francisco was not one greeted with much optimism but, despite patchy performances, Rayo have started the 2023/24 La Liga campaign quite well.
The hosts of Mallorca for this weekend began the season with back-to-back 2-0 victories in Andalusia against Granada and Almeria before being thrashed by seven goals to nil at home against Atletico Madrid. That was followed up by a loss against Betis but, since the September international break, they have managed a win and two draws to keep themselves in the top-half of the table.
MALLORCA
In 2022, Real Mallorca appointed Javier Aguirre to guide them to safety in their first season back in La Liga and the Mexican coach did exactly that. Then the Balearic Islanders built upon that with a mid-table finish last season and, despite the sale of Lee Kang-in to Paris Saint-Germain over the summer, they are expected to maintain that impressive level.
Mallorca come into this on the back of sharing a 2-2 draw with reigning champions Barcelona in midweek, in a game whereby they had led twice. They have managed just one win in their opening seven matches but performances have definitely improved as Aguirre finds the right blend and formation following an impressive and busy summer transfer window.
THE TEAM NEWS
RAYO VALLECANO
Francisco will be without Abdul Mumin after his late red card against Cadiz in midweek and he may also be missing Randy Nteka, who is a doubt due to injury.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Dimitrievski; Balliu, Ratiu, Lejeune, Espino; Ciss, Valentin; de Frutos, Trejo, Garcia; Camello
UNAVAILABLE: Mumin (Suspended)
QUESTIONABLE: Nteka (Injured)
MALLORCA
Javier Aguirre will be without key defender Antonio Raillo, who has been injured for the visitors since he scored on the opening day against Las Palmas.
PREDICTED XI (5-3-2): Rajkovic; Gonzalez, Valjent, Nastasic, Copete, Van der Heyden; Sanchez, Costa, Rodriguez; Abdon, Muriqi
UNAVAILABLE: Raillo (Injured), Maffeo (Suspended)
QUESTIONABLE:
THE PREDICTION
These two sides gained promotion alongside one another in 2021 and they have both overperformed general expectations to still be knocking about in La Liga two and a bit years later. Neither side are red hot favourites to go down but both suffered key departures in the summer that made it a bit more likely. Mallorca will go the capital city knowing they have players to hurt Rayo and it could well end up being quite an entertaining encounter on Saturday afternoon.
TIP: BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE
