Oviedo vs Rayo Vallecano Preview: Team News & Prediction
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It has been a difficult start to the season for Real Oviedo and they have made it worse for themselves as they welcome an intense and entertaining Rayo Vallecano side.
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 any game may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
How to watch online: UK – Premier Player / US – ESPN+
Oviedo preview: Struggling Oviedo
Having gained promotion via the playoffs in June, Real Oviedo performed well to collect six points from an extremely tough start to the season but the Asturians still took the surprising decision to sack now Serbia boss Veljko Paunovic.
He has been replaced by the returning Luis Carrion, who had abandoned the club for Las Palmas last year. His return has seen Oviedo be winless in four matches as they sit rock-bottom in La Liga ahead of this weekend.
Rayo Vallecano preview: Intense Rayo
Under the management of Andoni Iraola’s former assistant coach Inigo Perez, Rayo Vallecano have been very entertaining to watch and are doing well at balancing La Liga and UEFA Europa Conference League commitments so far this season.
Their intense pressure managed to suffocate league leaders Real Madrid a couple of weeks ago, as they shared a goalless draw with league leading Los Blancos to back up coming from 2-0 down to defeat Lech Poznan by three goals to two at Vallecas.
Oviedo team news: A few doubts
Oviedo have a few key doubts for this one such as the experienced Santi Cazorla, as well as former Reading midfielder Ovie Ejaria and Croatia international attacker Josip Brekalo.
Predicted XI (4-4-2): Aaron; Nacho Vidal, David Costas, Carmo, Javi Lopez; Alberto Reina, Dendoncker, Colombatto, Ilyas Chaira; Salomon Rondon, Fede Vinas
Unavailable:
Questionable: Alvaro Lemos (Injured), Santi Cazorla (Injured), Ejaria (Injured), Brekalo (Injured)
Rayo Vallecano team news: Key doubts
Rayo head to Asturias with some key doubts for this one such as defensive duo Luiz Felipe and Abdul Mumin, as well as defensive midfielder Pedro Diaz and Angola international attacker Randy Nteka.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Augusto Batalla; Ratiu, Lejeune, Mendy, Pep Chavarria; Oscar Valentin, Ciss, Unai Lopez; Isi Palazon, Jorge de Frutos, Alvaro Garcia
Unavailable:
Questionable: Luiz Felipe (Injured), Mumin (Injured), Pedro Diaz (Injured), Nteka (Injured)
Oviedo vs Rayo Vallecano prediction
Real Oviedo most recently suffered a 1-0 loss to an out of form Athletic Club side at San Mames a fortnight or so ago. The Asturians were always expected to lack quality but Paunovic was finding a way – now they are not finding a way to get any sort of result. They face a Rayo Vallecano side that will try to suffocate the opposition with an impressive style of football and they would have to be marked as slight favourites for this one at the Carlos Tartiere.
Oviedo vs Rayo Vallecano tip: Double chance – Rayo Vallecano to win or draw
