Rayo Vallecano vs Osasuna Preview: Team News & Prediction
by Alex Lawes ·
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
Rayo Vallecano could do with a result at Vallecas this weekend as they take on what is a fairly average Osasuna side in the Community of Madrid on Saturday afternoon.
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: Intense Rayo
With the intensity of Inigo Perez’ style of football, Rayo Vallecano are struggling to balance domestic and European commitments, leading to a lot of inconsistency in La Liga, which has them sitting in the bottom-half of the table.
After a much-needed victory against Real Mallorca a couple of weeks ago, Rayo have since suffered a loss to Deportivo Alaves in the Copa del Rey as well as a 3-0 hammering at the hands of Celta Vigo at Balaidos in Galicia.
Osasuna preview: Inconsistent Osasuna
Osasuna, under the management of former Mirandes boss Alessio Lisci, come into this one on the back of an entertaining 3-2 defeat of Real Oviedo at El Sadar last week, courtesy of goals from Ante Budimir, as well as a late Victor Munoz winner.
That means they have suffered just one defeat in their last four matches in La Liga but they remain a generally underwhelming team to watch, with a limited attack, and those three goals being scored against Oviedo being fairly anomalous.
Rayo Vallecano team news: Mendy suspended
Centre-back Nobel Mendy is missing through suspension for Rayo with Abdul Mumin unavailable due to injury, while the likes of Luiz Felipe, Ivan Balliu, Andrei Ratiu, Unai Lopez and Sergio Camello all doubtful.
Predicted XI (4-2-4): Augusto Batalla; Alfonso Espino, Lejeune, Pablo Diaz, Pep Chavarria; Gerard Gumbau, Fran Perez; Isi Palazon, Jorge de Frutos, Nteka, Alvaro Garcia
Unavailable: Mendy (Suspended), Mumin (Injured)
Questionable: Luiz Felipe (Injured), Balliu (Injured), Ratiu (Injured), Unai Lopez (Injured), Sergio Camello (Injured)
Osasuna team news: Alejandro Catena suspended
Former Rayo Vallecano centre-back Alejandro Catena was sent off late on after the winner against Oviedo and so he is missing through suspension for the trip to his former club.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Sergio Herrera; Rosier, Boyomo, Jorge Herrando, Javi Galan; Lucas Torro, Moi Gomez; Raul Garcia, Iker Munoz, Victor Munoz; Budimir
Unavailable: Alejandro Catena (Suspended), Iker Benito (Injured)
Questionable: Aimar Oroz (Injured)
Rayo Vallecano vs Osasuna prediction
Ever since the switch in system from a back three to a 4-2-3-1, Osasuna have become a bit more proactive to watch and a little more entertaining. After managing to score three goals last weekend, too, they are expected to continue that with a bit more confidence. Rayo will continue to play in their intense and overwhelming style and so both teams scoring would seem a reasonable shout for this one at Vallecas.
Rayo Vallecano vs Osasuna tip: Both teams to score
