Both Rayo Vallecano and Las Palmas will be bidding to make it back-to-back wins in Spain's top flight when the two sides lock horns at Estadio de Vallecas on Saturday afternoon.
Rayo's last league match ended in a 2-0 victory over Getafe on January 2, while Las Palmas will enter this weekend's contest off the back of a 3-0 success over Villarreal.
Match preview
© Reuters
Rayo's last two matches have been in the Copa del Rey, progressing to the round of 16 courtesy of a 2-0 victory over Huesca on January 6, but they were beaten 3-1 by La Liga leaders Girona on Wednesday evening, with their journey in this season's competition coming to an end.
The capital outfit's full focus will therefore be on the league, and Francisco's side were 2-0 winners over Getafe in their last fixture in Spain's top flight.
The success was the team's first in La Liga since October 22, and it moved them into 11th position in the table, boasting 23 points from their 19 matches this season courtesy of a record of five wins, eight draws and six defeats.
Rayo are actually the joint-second lowest goalscorers in La Liga this season, only finding the back of the net on 18 occasions, but they have been strong defensively, conceding just 24 times.
Los Franjirrojos actually have the second-worst home record in the league this term, collecting just eight points from their nine games in front of their own fans, with the majority of their points this season coming on their travels (15).
© Reuters
Las Palmas are also among the lowest goalscorers in the league this season, netting just 18 times, but they have the second-best defensive record behind Real Madrid (11), having conceded just 17 in their 20 matches.
It might therefore be fair to assume that this will be a low-scoring affair between two teams that will be eyeing top-half finishes this term; Las Palmas are currently ninth, boasting 28 points from their 20 matches, which has left them five points ahead of their opponents here, having played a game more.
La Union Deportiva were promoted back to La Liga courtesy of their runners-up spot in the Segunda Division last season, and they will be looking to consolidate back at this level after five seasons away.
Garcia Pimienta's side were knocked out of the Copa del Rey by Tenerife earlier this month, but they bounced back impressively in the league on January 13, recording a 3-0 victory over Villarreal.
Las Palmas will now be eyeing their ninth league win of the campaign this weekend, but they have lost their last three league games with Rayo, including a 1-0 defeat in the reverse fixture earlier this season.
Team News
© Reuters
Rayo will need to make a late check on Oscar Trejo due to a muscular problem, while Kike Perez is suspended due to the yellow card that he picked up against Getafe in the league last time out.
The home side will also be unable to call upon either Pathe Ciss or Bebe, with the duo in action for Senegal and Cape Verde respectively at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Perez's absence is likely to open the door for Randy Nteka to come into the side, while the likes of Sergio Camello, Florian Lejeune and Aridane Hernandez will return, having been left out against Girona in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday night.
As for Las Palmas, Daley Sinkgraven remains a major doubt due to illness, while Fabio Gonzalez is out of the contest due to an ankle issue.
The visitors will also be missing on-loan Barcelona defender Julian Araujo through suspension, while Eric Curbelo and Alvaro Lemos are doubts this weekend.
Head coach Garcia Pimienta could potentially name the same XI that took to the field for the first whistle against Villarreal in the league last time out, with Sandro Ramirez being joined in the final third by Munir El Haddadi and Alberto Moleiro.
Rayo Vallecano possible starting lineup:
Dimitrievski; Balliu, A Hernandez, Lejeune, Espino; Palazon, U Lopez, Valentin, De Frutos; Camello, Nteka
Las Palmas possible starting lineup:
Valles; Suarez, Herzog, Marmol, S Cardona; Munoz, Perrone, K Rodriguez; El Haddadi, Sandro, Moleiro
We say: Rayo Vallecano 1-1 Las Palmas
This is a really tough match to call, and there is not an awful lot between the sides when it comes to quality. Both managers would likely view a point as a positive result, and we are struggling to back either with any real conference, therefore settling on a low-scoring draw this weekend.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Matt Law
