Rayo Vallecano will be aiming to make it successive wins in Spain's top flight when they host Espanyol on Friday night.
The capital outfit are currently seventh in the La Liga table, seven points behind sixth-placed Real Betis, while Espanyol occupy 16th, two points ahead of 18th-placed Leganes in the battle to remain in the top division.
Match preview
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Rayo top-six hopes have faded of late, with Inigo Perez's side only picking up two points in their five league matches between February 17 and March 16, but they did manage to return to winning ways last time out.
Indeed, three points were secured against Alaves courtesy of goals from Pathe Ciss and Pedro Diaz, and the result moved Los Franjirrojos onto 40 points from 29 matches, which has left them in seventh, seven points off sixth-placed Real Betis.
Rayo finished 17th in La Liga last season, so there was clear room for improvement this term, and the capital side have been largely impressive, with history on the line for the club in 2024-25.
Rayito have never managed to finish higher than eighth in La Liga, but they are level on points with both eighth-placed Celta Vigo and ninth-placed Mallorca, so the picture in the top flight could change quickly.
Perez's team have only managed to win five of their 14 home league matches this season, but they will be welcoming an Epsanyol side with just one away victory to their name in the top flight during the 2024-25 campaign.
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Espanyol will enter this match off the back of an excellent result, holding Atletico Madrid to a 1-1 draw last weekend, with Javi Puado's penalty in the second period proving to be enough to secure a point on home soil.
Manolo Gonzalez's side have a record of seven wins, eight draws and 13 defeats from their 28 league matches this season, with a total of 29 points leaving them in 16th, only two points outside of the relegation zone.
The Catalan side have struggled to find the back of the net this season, only netting 27 times, which is the third-worst attacking record in the division alongside Real Sociedad.
Espanyol were promoted back to La Liga through the 2023-24 Segunda Division playoffs, so any spot over 18th would be considered a success this term, with the team bidding to consolidate back at this level of football.
The White and Blues recorded a 2-1 victory over Rayo in the reverse match earlier this season, while they also posted a 2-1 success when the two teams locked horns in Madrid during the 2022-23 campaign.
Team News
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Rayo will again be without the services of Abdul Mumin due to a knee problem, while Sergio Camello and Jonathan Montiel face late fitness tests due to foot and ankle issues respectively.
The capital outfit will welcome Florian Lejeune back into their squad on Friday after the experienced centre-back missed the contest with Alaves through suspension.
There could be a change in the number 10 position, with Pedro Diaz in line for a start following his goal off the bench last time out, while there will be another start at right-back for the in-demand Andrei Ratiu, who is currently being linked with Barcelona, Liverpool and Manchester City.
As for Espanyol, head coach Gonzalez could name an unchanged side from the clash against Atletico, with Jose Gragera the only player unavailable for selection, as the midfielder battles a thigh issue.
Roberto Fernandez is set to continue through the middle for the Catalan team, while Alex Kral should again feature as the number 10.
Pol Lozano was replaced at the interval of the clash with Atletico, but that was a tactical decision rather than an enforced change, and the Spaniard is expected to start in the middle of midfield on Friday night.
Rayo Vallecano possible starting lineup:
Batalla; Ratiu, Hernandez, Lejeune, Chavarria; Ciss, U Lopez; De Frutos, Diaz, A Garcia; Nteka
Espanyol possible starting lineup:
J Garcia; El Hilali, Kumbulla, Cabrera, Romero; Lozano, Gonzalez; Carreras, Kral, J Puado; R Fernandez
We say: Rayo Vallecano 1-1 Espanyol
Espanyol have won their last two La Liga matches against Rayo, and there has not actually been a top-flight draw between these two sides since September 2018; we are finding it difficult to separate them here, though, ultimately settling on a low-scoring draw.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Matt Law
