Rayo Vallecano vs Athletic Bilbao Preview: Team News & Prediction
by Alex Lawes ·
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Rayo Vallecano continue their La Liga campaign now finally back at Vallecas as they welcome Athletic Club to Madrid after the international break.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Premier Sports / USA – 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 / USA – ESPN+
Rayo Vallecano preview: Back at Vallecas
Due to issues with the stadium and their pitch, brought about by continued off-field issues due to their controversial president, Rayo Vallecano are back at Vallecas after starting their season by playing home games at Butarque in Leganes.
After a tough start off the pitch and the departure of Inigo Perez to Villarreal, Benat San Jose and his Rayo side have started reasonably well with two victories and two draws in their opening nine matches in La Liga.
Athletic Bilbao preview: Inconsistent start
Former Borussia Dortmund boss Edin Terzic and his Athletic Club side started the season with back-to-back defeats but they have since improved with a four-match unbeaten run of form, albeit their most recent outings have been frustrating.
Having beaten both Celta Vigo and then Atletico Madrid, Athletic stumbled to back-to-back draws at San Mames in Bilbao against then winless Elche and Basque rivals Deportivo Alaves.
Rayo Vallecano team news: Fresh injuries
Over the international break, Rayo have succumbed to fresh injury issues as right-back Ivan Balliu is now a doubt alongside left-back Adria Pedrosa.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Audero; Ratiu, Sadick, Lejeune, Vertrouwd; Oscar Valentin, Ciss, Unai Lopez; Jorge de Frutos, Sergio Camello, Alvaro Garcia
Unavailable: Augusto Batalla (Injured)
Questionable: Luiz Felipe (Fitness), Balliu (Injured), Adria Pedrosa (Injured)
Athletic Bilbao team news: Nico Williams doubt
Having continued to struggle for his best form for Spain over the international break, key winger Nico Williams remains a doubt after picking up a slight thigh injury.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Unai Simon; Jesus Areso, Aitor Paredes, Laporte, Yuri Berchiche; Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta, Mikel Jauregizar; Robert Navarro, Oihan Sancet, Alex Berenguer; Inaki Williams
Unavailable: Unai Egiluz (Injured)
Questionable: Nico Williams (Injured)
Rayo Vallecano vs Athletic Bilbao prediction
Athletic Club play quite an intense and entertaining style of football with Edin Terzic expected to continue to implement his German-led, energetic pressing approach. Rayo themselves are still playing with a bit of intensity even after the departure of Inigo Perez and under Benat San Jose; and so both teams scoring would appear a decent bet for this one in the Spanish capital city.
Rayo Vallecano vs Athletic Bilbao tip: Both teams to score
