Morning all! Sports Mole's live La Liga commentary continues from the Spanish capital as Rayo Vallecano welcome Almeria. Rayo are surely safe from relegation at this stage of the season, but the same cannot be said for Almeria, who despite a vital win last time out, are still very much in a relegation battle.

First and foremost, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from Madrid.

TEAMS:

RAYO: Tono; Tito, Amaya, Ze Castro, Nacho; Fatau, Trashorras; Adri, Bueno, Kakuta; Manucho

ALMERIA: Ruben; Ximo, Trujillo, Mauro, Dubarbier; Azeez, Thomas, Corona, Espinosa; Silva, Thievy

So there we have it. Leo Baptistao and Raul Baena are still on the sidelines for Rayo, leaving Paco Jemez with few options for change. In-form Manucho once again leads the line, while top scorer Alberto Bueno will operate in a deeper position alongside Adri Embarba and Gael Kakuta. Roberto Trashorras is fit to captain the hosts from midfield, but Abdoulaye Ba is only on the bench.

Almeria, meanwhile, are still without key injured pair Verza and Michel, while the experienced Fernando Soriano misses out through suspension. Edgar Mendez drops to the bench for the visitors, with Ramon Azeez coming into the centre of midfield. Loan pair Thomas Partey and Javier Espinosa, both of whom have been among the goals in recent weeks, also keep their positions in their XI.

In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, Rayo have won three of the last five games, with Almeria also recording two wins. That said, Rayo have won all three La Liga fixtures against Almeria and kept clean sheets in two of them. The corresponding match last season ended in a 3-1 home victory, before Rayo won 1-0 at Almeria in the reverse league game earlier this term.

Rayo won three straight league games between March 14 and April 3, but have since lost their last two to drop out of the top half of the table. They were beaten 2-0 at home by Real Madrid on April 8, before losing 6-1 at Celta Vigo last weekend. The capital outfit are currently 10 points clear of the relegation zone, however, and will feel that another victory here would see them safe for another season.

Incredibly, Rayo have drawn just two of their 31 league games this season, which is an indication of the type of team that they are. They have been inconsistent at home this season, meanwhile, winning six of their 15 games, but also losing eight times. That said, Rayo have gained 16 points from losing positions this season – the joint-best record in the entire league. Kickoff is fast approaching in Madrid.

While Rayo are in a comfortable position, the same cannot be said for Almeria, who are 18th in the table - level on points (28) with 17th-place Deportivo La Coruna. Sergi Barjuan's team lost 4-0 at Barcelona in the new manager's first game in charge on April 8, but they recorded a vital 3-0 win over Granada last weekend to move out of the bottom three. Can they make it back-to-back victories?

In truth, Almeria's home form this season has been pretty poor – winning just two of their 15 league games on their own patch. They have recorded five wins on their travels, however, which is more than top-six side Villarreal have managed. That said, Almeria have never won a top-flight game away to a Madrid side – losing 13 times in the process. The Spanish capital has not been kind to Almeria!

PREDICTION! This is a difficult one to call. You never know which Rayo are going to turn up and Almeria enter this match in decent form. It would not be a surprise if Rayo won, or were indeed comfortably beaten. That said, I am going to sit on the fence and back a draw. Score: Rayo 1-1 Almeria.

Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first period. Not quite a full house inside the stadium, but there is a good atmosphere. The away side get the first half underway.

As expected, it has been a high-tempo opening couple of minutes, with both teams attempting to make their mark in the middle of the field. The referee could be a very busy man this afternoon.

Manucho makes his presence known for the home team as he comes close to meeting a deep cross from Kakuta, which will be a ploy for Rayo in this one. Almeria have also been nice and bright here.

Not too much to report in the way of chances thus far, but both teams are committing numbers in the final third. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - will be just vital.

It's good work from Manucho as the Rayo forward takes control of a though ball before finding Kakuta, who delivers towards the big striker, but Ruben is out to make a very positive claim.

It has been a decent spell for Almeria in the last couple of moments, with Corona forcing a corner and then delivering from the right, but Tono punches clear. Thomas, who has been in good scoring form, picks up the pieces outside the box, but his effort was always moving wide of the post. Still 0-0.

Half-chance for the home side as Trashorras meets a corner from Kakuta, but the skipper's header was always rising high of the crossbar. Couple of half-chances for either side in quick succession.

Rayo are in control of the game at the moment as they continue to pass and probe in the final third, but clear opportunities have been few and far between thus far. Still goalless in the Spanish capital.

Silva shows excellent pace to drive down the right for Almeria before delivering, but there are no takers on his cross. That has been the story of the game thus far - plenty of good football in the build-up, but the lack of an end product. We are still waiting for the first real opportunity here.

The referee has been more involved than he would have liked in the last couple of moments, with a number of challenges slowing the tempo. Fatau fouls Thievy to hand Almeria a set piece in a decent position, but the delivery from Corona is not great and Ze Castro is on hand to clear down the field.

It's good work from Thievy as the Almeria forward dances past a host of challenges before striking towards goal, but his tame effort is deflected into the arms of Tono. Comfortable for the goalkeeper.

CHANCE! Finally a chance of real note and it comes for Rayo as Trashorras drives into the Almeria box before attempting to find the bottom corner, but Ruben is on hand to make a brilliant save.

Almeria are finding it difficult to get into the game at the moment as the home side continue to pass and probe in the final third. It has been an entertaining 23 minutes of action in the capital.

Breakthrough Rayo! The home side take the lead with 23 minutes on the clock as Amaya heads a super Ze Castro cross into the bottom corner. One centre-back to another! How about that!

Almeria just need to be careful that this game does not get away from them. Rayo have their tails up at the moment and are flooding forward with intent. The atmosphere has also risen inside the ground.

Thievy looks the player most likely to make something happen for Almeria and the pacey forward does well in a wide area to win a free kick. Corona delivers the set piece, but Tono punches clear.

Possession football from Rayo as we approach the latter stages of the first period here.

Half-chance for Almeria this time as Thievy works the ball wide into Silva, who flashes a low cross along the box, but Tono is on hand to claim. Almeria's final ball has been disappointing thus far.

PENALTY SHOUT! Big penalty shout for Almeria as Silva dances into the Rayo box before going down under a challenge from Nacho, but the referee is not interested. It looked one to me!

That is a stonewall penalty. Rayo have got away with one there. What was the referee thinking!

CHANCE! Opportunity for the home side to make it 2-0 as Manucho meets a deep cross from the left, but his header is just wide of the post. Plenty happening in the capital at the moment.

PENALTY SHOUT! Oh my word! Rayo now have a strong penalty claim as Embarba goes down inside the box under a challenge from Ximo, but again the referee shakes his head. Looked one again!

For my money, both of these teams should have had penalties in this first period.

Rayo are pressing for a second goal as we approach the latter stages of the first half. It has been an entertaining contest thus far, but Rayo lead 1-0 courtesy of a back-post header from Amaya.

So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Rayo leading 1-0 courtesy of a back-post header from Amaya. Both teams have had strong penalty appeals, but the referee was unmoved on both occasions. Just the one goal, but it has been an entertaining first 45 minutes.

STATS! The home side have dominated the possession with 65%, while they have had six attempts - three of which have been on target. Almeria, meanwhile, have hit the target with one of their three attempts. Surprisingly, there has not been a single yellow card despite some late challenges.

BENCH WATCH! Rayo boss Paco Jemez has plenty of attacking options on his bench this afternoon, with the likes of Miku, Pozuelo and Jozabed all in reserve. Almeria, meanwhile, have options in the shape of Hemed, Mane, Mendez and Zongo. Will we see any changes at the interval?

Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Can Almeria find a route back into this match? It is the home side that get the second 45 minutes of action underway.

No changes from either side at the break, which is not too surprising at this stage of events. However, I suspect that alterations will occur if the score remains 1-0 for the next 15 minutes or so.

Not too much to report in terms of chances in the early stages of the second period, but both sides are committing numbers in the final third, which is creating an open and entertaining affair.

Half-chance for Almeria as Thomas picks up a loose clearance outside the box, but his effort is deflected over the crossbar. Moments before, Thievy had just failed to find Corona with a return pass.

SUB! Almeria make their first change of the game as Zongo replaces Silva.

SUB! Rayo also make a change as Jozabed replaces Fatau.

BOOKING! Dubarbier (Almeria) is booked for a late challenge on Kakuta.

Both managers have made early changes in this half, but neither team is really on top at the moment. Rayo have another attempt on target through Bueno, but it is a comfortable save for Ruben.

PENALTY SHOUT! Another big penalty appeal for Almeria as Ze Castro catches Thievy inside the box, but once again the referee shakes his head. That is three clear shouts in this game!

SAVE! Thievy fires one towards the bottom corner for Almeria, but Tono is across to make a really good save. The atmosphere is raising as this second period starts to gather pace in Madrid.

I would be surprised if we had seen the last of the goals in this one as Almeria continue to force the issue in the final third. Rayo remain a threat on the counter, however, and Tono is forced to leave his box and head clear. Little over 30 minutes remaining and it is end-to-end stuff in the capital.

The referee has been more involved than he would have liked in the last couple of moments as both teams continue to commit late challenges. It is so delicately poised in Madrid at this stage.

CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the home side to add a second as Embarba is first to react to a loose ball inside the Almeria box, but Ruben is on hand to make a super save. Still 1-0 here.

Just a reminder that both managers have already made one change, but there are plenty of players warming up at the moment and it would not be a surprise to see some more fresh legs shortly.

Almeria force a couple of free kicks inside the Rayo half, but Tono comes to claim on both occasions. The quality just needs to be a little bit better from the visitors. Still Rayo lead in the capital here.

Thievy's pace takes him beyond the Rayo defence once again, but the striker cannot pick out a final pass, which has been the story of the game for Almeria. Both sides are preparing changes here.

SUBS! Rayo introduce Miku in replace of Bueno, while Almeria replace Azeez with Mendez.

CHANCE! Incredible chance for the home side as Miku drives down the right before flashing a cross towards Manucho, but the striker just cannot make contact. What an opportunity!

CHANCE! Almeria work the ball into the Rayo box following a quick counter, but Mendez's effort is blocked, before Dubarbier has one deflected wide of the post. Good opportunity there!

The home supporters are creating a wonderful noise inside the stadium at the moment and it is adding an extra spring to the home players. Almeria, however, are looking more threatening.

CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Almeria as Zongo meets a free kick from Corona, but his header is tipped over the crossbar. The visitors are really piling on the pressure at the moment.

SUB! Almeria make their third change as Hemed replaces Dubarbier.

Thievy remains Almeria's main threat as he once again drives into the box, but Ze Castro is across to make the challenge. You just get the feeling that there is another goal in this game here.

BOOKING! Tito (Rayo) is booked for a late challenge on Zongo.

SUB! Rayo make their third change as Pozuelo replaces Embarba.

BOOKING! Espinosa (Almeria) is booked for a late challenge on Tono. The midfielder attempted to tackle the Rayo goalkeeper, but was very late indeed. Little over 10 minutes to play.

The referee has been more involved than he would have liked in the last couple of moments following a number of late challenges. It has been a little untidy in the second period, but Almeria are still pressing for an equaliser here. Neither defence looks too comfortable under pressure at the moment.

Another half-chance for the away side as the dangerous Thievy drives down the left before delivering, but Ze Castro is on hand to make the clearance. End-to-end football here as Rayo break...

... CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Rayo to add a second as Pozuelo feed Manucho inside the Almeria box, but his effort is straight at the goalkeeper. What an opportunity for a second!

Little over five minutes of football remaining and Almeria are in possession of the ball. Thievy continues to look the most likely for the visitors, with his pace causing so many problems here.

Almeria are camped outside the Rayo box at the moment, but the home side are clearing everything that is coming into their area. It is a backs-against-the-wall performance at the moment.

CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the home side to add a second on the counter as Miku feeds Pozuelo inside the box. The midfielder rounds Ruben, but cannot register from a tight angle!

Time is running out for Almeria as another move breaks down in a wide area. I should not think that there will be too much added time at the end of the 90 minutes. We shall soon found out!

Almeria were pushing so many players forward that a second for Rayo was always likely. It comes from Kakuta, who dances into the box before clipping one towards Miku, who heads home from close range. It was excellent work from Kakuta and in truth, the simplest of finishes for the substitute.

We are into the second of three added minutes in the Spanish capital this afternoon.

Rayo are looking for a third goal here as they continue to flood forward. Almeria look short of energy at the moment, which is not a surprise. That second Rayo effort has absolutely killed them.

So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Rayo running out 2-0 winners in the Spanish capital. Almeria remain in the relegation zone, while the home side have moved into the top half of the table. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Good afternoon!