Round seven of the Spanish La Liga comes to an end on Monday when Rayo Vallecano and Elche go head to head at the Estadio de Vallecas.
Los Franjiverdes head into the game as the only side yet to pick up a win in the 2022-23 campaign and will be looking to end this dry spell.
Match preview
© Reuters
Rayo Vallecano's attempt to pick up a morale-boosting result before the return of top-flight football ended in disappointment as they suffered a 1-0 friendly defeat at the hands of lower-tier Fuenlabrada two Thursdays ago.
While the likes of Sergio Camello, Ivan Balliu and Stole Dimitrievski were away on international duties, the likes of Unai Lopez, Oscar Trejo and veteran goalkeeper Diego Lopez were unable to get the job done as Fer Ruiz netted on the stroke of half time to hand the Fuenlabrada an impressive win.
Andoni Iraola's men now turn their attention to the La Liga where they were denied their first successive victory since April as they fell to a 3-2 loss against Athletic Club when the sides met at the San Mames Barria on September 10.
Inaki Williams, Oihan Sancet and Nico Williams all scored in a 19-minute spell to cancel out Trejo's fifth-minute opener and hand the hosts a comfortable first-half lead before Radamel Falcao halved the deficit with 10 minutes left to play.
Prior to that, Los Franjirrojos secured their first home win of the season on September 10 when a fifth-minute strike from Isi Palazon and Nicolas Gonzalez's second half own goal helped them claim a 2-1 victory over Valencia and end their two-game losing streak.
Rayo Vallecano have picked up two wins, one draw and lost three of their seven games this season to collect seven points and sit sixth in the La Liga standings, but could potentially rise as high as eighth place with all three points on Monday.
© Reuters
Elche, on the other hand, hit a new low in what had been an underwhelming start to the season as they suffered a 3-0 defeat against high-flying Barcelona when the sides squared off at Camp Nou two Saturdays ago.
In a game where Gonzalo Verdu received an early bath, Robert Lewandowski and Memphis Depay found the back of the net to put Xavi's side in the driving seat before Lewandowski added his second of the game in the second half to cap off a brilliant individual display.
Los Franjiverdes have now lost each of their most recent four outings, scoring once and shipping 12 goals, while they have managed just one point from their six games this season, with their last victory coming on August 7, when they edged out La Nucia in their final pre-season outing.
Francisco Rodriguez's side are currently rock-bottom in the league standings and their dire start to the season has been owing to their struggles at both ends of the pitch as they have scored just two goals so far, while they currently hold the league's worst defensive record with 16 goals conceded already.
However, Elche, who secured a 13th-placed finish last season, will fancy their chances of getting their campaign up and running as they take on a Rayo Vallecano side against whom they are unbeaten in 14 of their last 17 encounters, claiming 10 wins and four draws since December 2008.
Team News
© Reuters
Rayo Vallecano will take to the pitch without the attacking duo of Salvi Sanchez and Andras Martin, who have been sidelined with calf and shoulder injuries respectively.
Pep Chavarria has missed the last five games through injury and the full-back, who completed a summer move from Real Zaragoza, is out of contention for the hosts.
Meanwhile, Elche will have to cope without the services of Verdu, who will serve the first of a three-game suspension for picking up a straight red against Barcelona.
On the injury front, Omar Mascarell and 32-year-old defender Pedro Bigas will play no part in Monday's game as they are currently recuperating from groin and Achilles tendon issues respectively.
Spanish forward Pere Milla, who registered eight goals and three assists last season, was absent from the trip to Barcelona last time out and the 30-year-old is a doubt for Los Franjiverdes
Rayo Vallecano possible starting lineup:
Dimitrievski; Balliu, Lejeune, Catena, Garcia; Palazon, Valentin, Comesana, Rivera; Perez, Trejo
Elche possible starting lineup:
Badia; Palacios, Polanco, Roco, Clerc; Guti, Chetauya, Gumbau; Morente, Boye, Milla
We say: Rayo Vallecano 1-1 Elche
Elche have endured a rough start to the 2022-23 campaign and will set out to claim their first win of the season on Monday. However, they have managed just three wins in 12 away games this year. However, given their fine record against Rayo Vallecano, we predict that Rodriguez's side will hold out for a share of the spoils.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
