Villarreal vs Rayo Vallecano Preview: Team News & Prediction
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These are two of the more proactive teams to watch in Spain’s top-flight as a strong Villarreal side welcome a thrilling Rayo Vallecano team to El Madrigal 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 / Disney+ / US – ESPN+
Villarreal preview: Thrilling Villarreal
Coached by Marcelino, Villarreal come into this one on the back of a 6-0 demolition of Coudad de Luenca in the first round of the Copa del Rey the other day, as they sit tucked inside the top three ahead of this weekend’s round of fixtures.
The Yellow Submarine, earned themselves a regional derby victory against Valencia at Mestalla in La Liga last weekend, courtesy of goals from captain Gerard Moreno and defensive midfielder Santi Comesana.
Rayo Vallecano preview: Intense Rayo
With young coach Inigo Perez at the helm, Rayo Vallecano majorly overperformed last season to qualify for the UEFA Europa Conference League and they are doing a reasonable job at balancing domestic and European commitments.
The Madrid-based outfit demolished Yuncos in the cup the other day by six goals to one, a few days after they edged past Deportivo Alaves by a goal to nil at Vallecas, courtesy of a second-half stoppage-time winner scored by Alemao.
Villarreal team news: Nothing fresh
There are no fresh injury concerns or suspension issues for Villarreal to deal with for this one as centre-back duo Logan Costa and Willy Kambwala remain sidelined for the hosts.
Predicted XI (4-4-2): Junior; Santiago Mourino, Foyth, Veiga, Sergi Cardona; Pepe, Santi Comesana, Gueye, Alberto Moleiro; Gerard, Mikautadze
Unavailable: Costa (Injured), Kambwala (Injured), Pau Cabanes (Injured)
Questionable:
Rayo Vallecano team news: Defensive injuries
Abdul Mumin is a long-term absentee due to a knee injury, whilst experienced former Olympique de Marseille centre-back Luiz Felipe is a doubt due to a hamstring issue.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Augusto Batalla; Ratiu, Lejeune, Mendy, Pep Chavarria; Unai Lopez, Oscar Valentin, Ciss; Jorge de Frutos, Alemao, Fran Perez
Unavailable: Mumin (Injured)
Questionable: Luiz Felipe (Injured)
Villarreal vs Rayo Vallecano prediction
In midweek, Villarreal head to Cyprus to take on Pafos in the UEFA Champions League as Rayo welcome Polish champions Lech Poznan to Spain’s capital city. Despite those European distractions, these are two of the more energetic and aggressive teams in La Liga and this should therefore be quite an entertaining watch for the neutral in which Villarreal do remain the favourites with their home advantage.
Villarreal vs Rayo Vallecano tip: Villarreal to win & both teams to score
