Rayo Vallecano vs Real Oviedo Preview: Team News & Prediction
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This controversial game is one that should have taken place a few weeks ago as Rayo Vallecano now welcome relegation-bound Real Oviedo to Vallecas this weekend.
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: Struggling Rayo
Rayo Vallecano are a mess off the pitch. They were the subject of allegations of intentionally getting this original fixture postponed due to having players suspended, as they re-laid an unfit pitch and, predictably, it wasn’t ready to go by the weekend.
On the pitch, they have been admirable in their endeavours, balancing domestic and European commitments this season but struggling and involved in a relegation battle, albeit having begun to steady themselves in recent outings.
Real Oviedo preview: Rock-bottom Oviedo
Real Oviedo gained promotion, at long last, back to the top-flight last season, but have perhaps ruined their experience with some bizarre early season decisions, albeit they are seeking to finish with a flourish, despite relegation being an inevitability.
For example, after a 3-3 draw with Real Sociedad, the Asturians were by far the better side last weekend against Atletico Madrid, eventually succumbing to a slender 1-0 loss against Los Rojiblancos at Estadio Carlos Tartiere.
Rayo Vallecano team news: Fully fit
Ahead of their clash with Samsunspor in Europe, Rayo have been surprisingly blessed with a fully fit and available squad ahead of the visit of Oviedo to the capital city.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Augusto Batalla; Ratiu, Lejeune, Mendy, Alfonso Espino; Isi Palazon, Ciss, Gerard Gumbau; Akhomach, Jorge de Frutos, Alvaro Garcia
Unavailable:
Questionable:
Real Oviedo team news: Defensive doubts
Oviedo are dealing with a couple of doubts in the defensive area of the pitch ahead of their clash with Rayo as both David Costas and Eric Bailly remain potentially unavailable.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Aaron; Nacho Vidal, Dani Calvo, Carmo, Javi Lopez; Santi Cazorla, Sibo; Hassan, Alberto Reina, Ilyas Chaira; Fede Vinas
Unavailable:
Questionable: Bailly (Injured), David Costas (Injured), Ejaria (Ineligible)
Rayo Vallecano vs Real Oviedo prediction
That aforementioned steadying of the ship for Rayo has seen them back up a 3-0 hammering of Atleti at Butarque in Leganes before back-to-back 1-1 draws against Real Betis and then Athletic Club. Oviedo are in good form at the moment and there is a feeling that a rare but cherished, admittedly probably irrelevant in terms of the league table, victory is just around the corner and general justice would give them it against Rayo, given what happened, but it could well be a good value bet, too, as an intense but fatigued home team gear up for some midweek action in their upcoming UEFA Europa Conference League round of 16 time later this month against Samsunspor.
Rayo Vallecano vs Real Oviedo tip: Double chance – Real Oviedo to win or draw