Rayo Vallecano vs Real Mallorca Preview: Team News & Prediction
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These two were battling it out for a top eight finish and potential UEFA competition qualification in La Liga last season, but things are now very different as Rayo Vallecano take on Real Mallorca.
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: Fatigued Rayo
Rayo Vallecano come into this one on the back of a comfortable 3-1 defeat of Granada in the round of 32 of the Copa del Rey in midweek, courtesy of goals from Alvaro Garcia and Pablo Diaz, as well as a Flores Flores own goal. That was much-needed respite for a Rayo side that have struggled in the last couple of months.
Having qualified for the UEFA Europa Conference League last month, Rayo initially balanced domestic and European commitments quite well but, such is their aggressive and intense style of football, fatigue has now certainly taken over as they struggle for any sort of form or consistency in the league.
Real Mallorca preview: Functional Majorcans
Real Mallorca have been trying to evolve their style in recent seasons but it remains the case that the best form of a good Mallorca sides comes in directness and aggression, with Kosovo international striker leading the line for an often ineffective coach Jago Arrasate.
Having accepted their technical limitations, Mallorca have embraced tactical restraint and focused on that Muriqi-led focal point with improved results in the last couple of months. That said, the Balearic Islanders did most recently suffer a 2-1 defeat at home to Girona at the Iberostar Stadium last weekend.
Rayo Vallecano team news: Several doubts
Rayo Vallecano are dealing with plenty of injury doubts for this one as defenders Luiz Felipe, Abdul Mumin and Ivan Balliu potentially still sidelined alongside Alemao.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Augusto Batalla; Ratiu, Lejeune, Pablo Diaz, Pep Chavarria; Isi Palazon, Oscar Valentin, Unai Lopez; Jorge de Frutos, Sergio Camello, Alvaro Garcia
Unavailable: Ciss (International duty)
Questionable: Luiz Felipe (Injured), Balliu (Injured), Mumin (Injured), Alemao (Injured)
Real Mallorca team news: Fresh absentees
Real Mallorca have some fresh injury absentees for this one as centre-back Antonio Raillo is now a confirmed injury issue alongside midfielder Manu Morlanes.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Leo Roman; Pablo Maffeo, Valjent, Kumbulla, Johan Mojica; Omar Mascarell, Costa; Asano, Sergi Darder, Jan Virgili; Muriqi
Unavailable: Antonio Raillo (Injured), Manu Morlanes (Injured)
Questionable:
Rayo Vallecano vs Real Mallorca prediction
Paradoxically, these are two teams with clear and, on their day, very effective and cohesive patterns of play in the final third. However, whether it be a lack of quality for Rayo or a lack of intent from Mallorca, both lack goals overall and a low-scoring encounter appears a good bet for this one at Vallecas.
Rayo Vallecano vs Real Mallorca tip: Under 2.5 goals
