Girona vs Rayo Vallecano Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Girona endured a major regression last season, but the Catalans have steadied themselves over the summer as they take on European qualifiers Rayo Vallecano.
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 Girona vs Rayo Vallecano may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
How to watch online: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN+
Girona preview: Steadier Girona
A couple of seasons ago, Girona finished third in La Liga and qualified for the UEFA Champions League before selling lots of key players, and then regressing into the bottom-half of the table, and the sales don’t appear to be ending there.
Left-back Miguel Gutierrez is reportedly set to join Italian champions Napoli, but the Catalans have brought in some intriguing loanees, with Hugo Rincon, Thomas Lemar and Vitor Reis having joined from Athletic, Atletico Madrid and Arsenal respectively.
Rayo Vallecano preview: European distractions
With Andoni Iraola’s former assistant coach Inigo Perez at the helm, Rayo Vallecano have kept their intense and aggressive pressing style intact at Vallecas, but that will be tested this season as they have qualified for the UEFA Europa Conference League.
The Madrid-based outfit will have their work cut out to try and stay towards the top-half of La Liga, but they could well struggle. Rayo have brought in Luiz Felipe on a free transfer from Olympique de Marseille, with a couple of loanees also returning.
Girona team news: Miguel Gutierrez not involved
Amid his potential move to Napoli, Miguel Gutierrez is set to miss this opener due to an ankle injury. They also have some key doubts such as Donny van de Beek and Abel Ruiz.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Paulo Gazzaniga; Hugo Rincon, Arnau Martinez, Reis, Blind; Yangel Herrera, Jhon Solis; Tsygankov, Lemar, Yaser Asprilla; Miovski
Unavailable: Miguel Gutierrez (Injured)
Questionable: Ricard Artero (Injured), Ivan Martin (Injured), Van de Beek (Injured), Abel Ruiz (Injured)
Rayo Vallecano team news: Mumin a doubt
Rayo Vallecano head to Montilivi with just a solitary injury doubt as centre-back Abdul Mumin is working his way back from a knee injury that he sustained in mid-March.
Predicted XI (4-4-2): Augusto Batalla; Balliu, Luiz Felipe, Lejeune, Alfonso Espino; Isi Palazon, Ciss, Oscar Valentin, Alvaro Garcia; Jorge de Frutos, Nteka
Unavailable:
Questionable: Mumin (Injured)
Girona vs Rayo Vallecano prediction
Girona will be expected to revert back to being an upwardly mobile side that play an entertaining style of football. Rayo have the distraction of a UEFA Europa Conference League playoff tie coming up in midweek, and that could cause Inigo Perez to be caught in two minds with regards to team selection for this one. With that, their home advantage and a need to improve once again, backing Girona to win on the opening day seems a good bet.
Girona vs Rayo Vallecano tip: Girona to win & both teams to score
