Rayo Vallecano vs Athletic Bilbao Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Rayo Vallecano need to show some real resolve here as they welcome a slightly improved Athletic Club side to Vallecas in the capital city.
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+
Rayo Vallecano preview: Off the pitch struggles
Rayo Vallecano have major off-field issues at the moment with the haphazard president continuing to allow the club to majorly disgrace themselves off the pitch with pitch issues recently causing a controversial postponement against fellow strugglers Real Oviedo.
Despite that, they continue to over perform on the pitch and that continued last weekend as they snatched a point at La Cartuja against Real Betis in Seville last weekend, courtesy of a 42nd minute equaliser scored by Isi Palazon after Cedric Bakambu had scored for Betis.
Athletic Bilbao preview: Finding form
Following their predictable elimination from the UEFA Champions League, Athletic Club have been impressive in the last couple of weeks as they prepare for their Copa del Rey semi-final second-leg against arch-rivals Real Sociedad next midweek.
They come into this one on the back of a 2-1 defeat of out of form Elche at San Mames, inspired by a Gorka Guruzeta brace. That means that first-leg loss to La Real is their only defeat in their last six matches across all competitions.
Rayo Vallecano team news: Fully fit
Rayo Vallecano have a fully fit and available squad for this one this weekend with no fresh injury concerns or suspension issues and so they can name an unchanged side for this one.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Augusto Batalla; Ratiu, Lejeune, Mendy, Alfonso Espino; Oscar Valentin, Gerard Gumbau; Akhomach, Isi Palazon, Fran Perez; Jorge de Frutos
Unavailable:
Questionable:
Athletic Bilbao team news: Nico Williams injury
There is a concern that UEFA EURO 2024 winner Nico Williams will miss out on the 2026 FIFA World Cup as Athletic’s key attacker continues to nurse a groin injury.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Unai Simon; Inigo Lekue, Dani Vivian, Laporte, Yuri Berchiche; Alejandro Rego, Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta; Unai Gomez, Oihan Sancet, Inaki Williams; Gorka Guruzeta
Unavailable: Unai Egiluz (injured), Benat Prados (Injured), Nico Williams (Injured), Maroan Sannadi (Injured)
Questionable: Yeray (Fitness), Mikel Jauregizar (Injured), Alex Berenguer (Injured)
Rayo Vallecano vs Athletic Bilbao prediction
Back at Vallecas after playing at Butarque in Leganes, Rayo's supporters will show their anger and ferocity with the ownership but they will also be on the front foot on the pitch against an Athletic side that will likely be content to simply avoid many injuries or new issues ahead of that cup clash with Real Sociedad. Rayo would therefore perhaps be a good value bet for this one in the Spanish capital.
Rayo Vallecano vs Athletic Bilbao tip: Double chance – Rayo Vallecano to win or draw
