Rayo Vallecano vs Real Betis Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Both of these sides enjoyed victories in UEFA competition last week as Rayo Vallecano now welcome Real Betis to Vallecas in the capital city of Madrid on Monday evening.
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: Brilliant Rayo
Despite having such a small squad with few resources, Inigo Perez has already done an excellent job in charge of Rayo Vallecano and they come into this one on the back of a 2-1 win in Poland against Jagiellonia Bialystok in the UEFA Europa Conference League.
In La Liga, as was to be expected this season, they are perhaps struggling to deal with the fixture congestion and they did most recently suffer a 1-0 loss to Espanyol last week, extending their winless run in the league to six matches.
Real Betis preview: Impressive Betis
Coached by Manuel Pellegrini, Real Betis begin the weekend sitting tucked inside the top six, despite the fact they suffered a 5-3 hammering at the hands of Barcelona at La Cartuja last week in a game whereby they softened the scoreline with two late strikes.
The Andalusians recovered from that by defeating Croatian giants Dinamo Zagreb by three goals to one in midweek, courtesy of a Sergi Dominguez own goal before strikes from Rodrigo Riquelme and Antony in a first-half blitz.
Rayo Vallecano team news: Unai Lopez suspended
Unai Lopez is now missing through suspension for the hosts for this one, while the likes of Gerard Gumbau, Pedro Diaz and Oscar Trejo are all doubtful, too.
Predicted XI (4-2-4): Augusto Batalla; Ratiu, Lejeune, Mendy, Pep Chavarria; Fran Perez, Oscar Valentin; Isi Palazon, Nteka, Jorge de Frutos, Alvaro Garcia
Unavailable: Mumin (Injured), Unai Lopez (Suspended)
Questionable: Gerard Gumbau (Injured), Pedro Diaz (Injured), Oscar Trejo (Injured)
Real Betis team news: A few doubts
Isco has been out this season but is working his way back to full fitness, with both Hector Bellerin and Sofyan Amrabat also doubtful, while Junior Firpo is a confirmed absentee.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Alex Valles; Aitor Ruibal, Marc Bartra, Natan, Victor Gomez; Sergi Altimira, Marc Roca; Antony, Pablo Fornals, Abde Ez; Cucho
Unavailable: Junior Firpo (Injured)
Questionable: Hector Bellerin (Injured), Amrabat (Injured), Isco (Injured)
Rayo Vallecano vs Real Betis prediction
Rayo Vallecano play with an immense out of intensity and that is perhaps already taking its toll in La Liga as they balance both domestic and European commitments with a small squad. They face a Betis side that have a very entertaining style and a lot of attacking quality. There is a chance it is quite an entertaining watch for the neutral but Betis have to remain favourites for this one in Madrid.
Rayo Vallecano vs Real Betis tip: Real Betis to win & both teams to score
