Relegation-threatened Rayo Vallecano will be aiming to stretch their unbeaten run in La Liga to four matches when they welcome Osasuna to Campo de Futbol de Vallecas on Saturday afternoon.
The home side are currently 16th in the table, only six points clear of the relegation zone, while Osasuna occupy 11th position, eight points ahead of their opponents in this weekend's contest.
Match preview
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Rayo have finished 12th and 11th in their two La Liga campaigns since being promoted back to the top flight through the Segunda Division playoffs in 2020-21.
The capital outfit were in strong form in the first half of this season, but there has been a drop-off in 2024, which has seen them slide uncomfortably close to the bottom three entering the final straight.
Inigo Perez's side have managed to steady the grip with just one defeat from their last five league matches, but there has only been one win during that period, which came at home to Real Betis before the international break.
Los Franjirrojos will enter this match off the back of successive goalless draws with Celta Vigo and Getafe, and they are currently 16th in the division, only six points clear of the relegation zone with seven games left, so there is still work to do in order to confirm their spot in La Liga for the 2024-25 campaign.
Rayo's home form this season has been incredibly disappointing, only picking up 14 points from their 15 matches, which is the second-worst record in the division behind basement side Almeria (eight).
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Osasuna, meanwhile, will enter this match off the back of a 1-0 home loss to Valencia on Monday evening, with Andre Almeida netting the only goal of the contest in the 18th minute.
Consistency has also been a problem for Jagoba Arrasate's side this season, and they have lost three of their last four La Liga fixtures, with their only win since the start of March proving to be a 3-0 success at Almeria.
A record of 11 wins, six draws and 14 defeats from 31 matches has seen Los Rojillos collect 39 points, which has left them in 11th spot in the table, eight points ahead of their opponents this weekend and 14 clear of the relegation zone.
Osasuna finished seventh last season and also made the Copa del Rey final, so there has been a drop in their performance level this term, and there will be a big change at the club this summer, as head coach Arrasate is preparing to stand down after six years in charge.
The Pamplona outfit will be bidding to make it a league double over Rayo, having won 1-0 in the reverse match earlier this season, but they lost 2-1 in the corresponding game between the two sides last term.
Team News
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Rayo will again definitely be without the services of Alvaro Garcia and Diego Mendez due to muscular problems, while Aridane Hernandez remains a doubt for the home side.
Head coach Perez is attempting to find the right formula in the final third of the field, and there could be a change up top for this contest, with Randy Nteka potentially starting alongside Sergio Camello.
The rest of the side is unlikely to be unchanged from the goalless draw against Getafe, though, with Jorge de Frutos and Isi Palazon set to continue in the wide areas.
As for Osasuna, Aimar Oroz, Unai Garcia and Kike Barja are unavailable for selection, while Johan Mojica is a doubt for Saturday's fixture due to a muscular problem.
Head coach Arrasate is expected to resist the temptation to shuffle his pack following the home loss to Valencia, with a 4-4-2 formation again set to include Jose Arnaiz in a central position.
Ante Budimir missed a last-gasp penalty against Valencia last time out, but he has scored 16 league goals this season and will be bidding to return to the scoresheet this weekend.
Rayo Vallecano possible starting lineup:
Dimitrievski; Balliu, Mumin, Lejeune, Chavarria; De Frutos, U Lopez, Valentin, Palazon; Camello, Nteka
Osasuna possible starting lineup:
Herrera; Areso, D Garcia, Herrando, Cruz; R Garcia, Moncayola, Munoz, M Gomez; Budimir, Arnaiz
We say: Rayo Vallecano 1-1 Osasuna
This is a really tough match to call, but the signs are pointing to a stalemate here. Rayo have shared the points in eight of their 15 home league fixtures this term, including draws in three of their last four, and we can see a close fixture ending 1-1 on Saturday afternoon.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Matt Law
