Villarreal vs Rayo Vallecano: Match Preview, Predictions, and Team Lineups
In an exciting upcoming La Liga clash, Villarreal will face Rayo Vallecano on Saturday afternoon. Both teams are coming into this match with different forms and aspirations, setting the stage for an intriguing encounter.
Match Overview: Villarreal vs Rayo Vallecano
Rayo Vallecano aims to secure their fourth consecutive league win against a strong Villarreal side. Currently, Rayo occupies the seventh position in the La Liga standings, having accumulated 14 points from 10 matches. In contrast, Villarreal sits in third place, trailing the league leaders, Real Madrid, by seven points.
Recent Performance
Villarreal enters this game with significant momentum. They recently achieved a resounding 6-0 victory over Ciudad de Lucena in the Copa del Rey, moving forward in the tournament. Last weekend, they also triumphed over Valencia with a 2-0 scoreline in La Liga.
Villarreal’s record this season shows six wins, two draws, and two losses from 10 matches, totaling 20 points. Their league ambitions include a top-four finish, making Saturday’s match crucial ahead of their Champions League meeting with Pafos next week.
In contrast, Rayo Vallecano has regained confidence after a slow start this season. They have won their last three league matches, defeating Real Sociedad, Levante, and Alaves. They also outperformed CD Yuncos 6-1 in the Copa del Rey earlier this week.
Head-to-Head Records
- Villarreal has won 17 of the last 33 encounters against Rayo Vallecano across all competitions.
- In their most recent encounter in February, Villarreal secured a narrow 1-0 victory in Madrid.
- Last season at Estadio de la Ceramica, the teams played to a 1-1 draw.
Team News
In terms of squad availability, Villarreal will miss three players due to injury: Logan Costa, Willy Kambwala, and Pau Cabanes. Despite scoring a hat-trick in the Copa del Rey, Tanitoluwa Oluwaseyi is likely to start on the bench for this league fixture. Gerard Moreno, key to their attack, is expected to feature prominently again.
Rayo Vallecano, meanwhile, will be without Abdul Mumin, who is injured, and Luiz Felipe is uncertain to play. Alvaro Garcia has been in fantastic form with seven goals in 14 appearances, and he will be crucial for Rayo’s offensive strategy. Alemao is set to lead the attack, while Fran Perez may be rotated to the bench.
Predicted Lineups
| Villarreal | Rayo Vallecano |
|---|---|
| Junior | Batalla |
| Mourino, Veiga, Foyth, Pedraza | Ratiu, Lejeune, Mendy, Chavarria |
| Pepe, Partey, Comesana, Moleiro | Lopez, Ciss |
| G. Moreno, Mikautadze | De Frutos, Diaz, Garcia, Alemao |
Match Prediction
This match presents a tough challenge for both squads. While Villarreal enjoys home advantage, Rayo Vallecano’s recent form could help them secure at least a draw. A prediction for this encounter leans toward a 1-1 stalemate.
The match promises to be competitive as both teams look to solidify their standing in the league. Emegypt will provide updates leading into what should be a thrilling clash in La Liga.
