Sports Mole previews Saturday’s La Liga clash between Rayo Vallecano and Osasuna, including predictions, team news and possible line-ups.
Threatened with relegation Rayo Vallecano will aim to extend their unbeaten run in La Liga to four matches when they host Osasuna at Campo de Futbol de Vallecas on Saturday afternoon.
The home side are currently 16th in the table, just six points clear of the relegation zone, while Osasuna sit in 11th, eight points ahead of their opponents heading into this weekend’s competition.
Match Preview
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Rayo have finished 12th and 11th in their two La Liga campaigns since promotion to the top flight in the Segunda Division qualifiers in 2020-21.
The capital side were in good form during the first half of this season, but there was a dip in 2024, which saw them slip uncomfortably close to the bottom three heading into the home stretch.
Inigo PérezThe team have managed to maintain their grip with just one defeat in their last five league matches, but there has only been one victory in that period, coming at home to Real Betis before the break international.
Los Franjirrojos will come into this match off the back of successive goalless draws with Celta Vigo and Getafe, and they are currently 16th in the division, just six points clear of the relegation zone with seven games remaining, so there is still work to do to confirm their place in La Liga for the 2024-25 campaign.
Rayo’s home form this season has been incredibly disappointing, picking up just 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 come into this match off the back of a 1-0 home defeat to Valencia on Monday night, with Andre Almeida scoring the only goal of the match in the 18th minute.
Consistency has also been an issue for Jagoba ArrasateThis season they have lost three of their last four La Liga matches, with their only win since the start of March coming in a 3-0 success at Almeria.
A record of 11 wins, six draws and 14 defeats in 31 matches has seen the Rojillos collect 39 points, putting them in 11th place in the table, eight points ahead of their opponents this weekend and 14 points ahead of their opponents this weekend. advance on the relegation zone.
Osasuna finished seventh last season and also reached the Copa del Rey final, so there has been a drop in their performance level this season, and there will be a big change at the club this summer, as coach -Chief Arrasate prepares to step down after six years at the helm.
The Pamplona side will be looking to complete a league double against Rayo, having won 1-0 in the reverse fixture earlier this season, but lost 2-1 in the corresponding match between the two teams last season.
Rayo Vallecano form in La Liga:
Osasuna form in La Liga:
Team News
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Rayo will once again be permanently without the services of Alvaro Garcia And Diego Mendez due to muscular problems, while Aridane Hernández remains a doubt for the local team.
Head coach Pérez is trying to find the right formula in the final third of the field, and there could be a change at the top of this competition, with Randy Nteka potentially start next Sergio Camello.
The rest of the team is unlikely to be unchanged from the goalless draw against Getafe, with Jorge de Frutos And Isi Palazon is expected to continue over large areas.
As for Osasuna, Aimar Oroz, Unai Garcia And Kike Barja are not available for selection, while Johan Mojica There is a doubt for Saturday’s meeting due to a muscular problem.
Head coach Arrasate should resist the temptation to reshuffle his squad after the home defeat to Valencia, with a 4-4-2 formation expected to once again include Jose Arnaiz in a central position.
Ante Budimir missed a last-minute penalty against Valencia last time out, but he has scored 16 league goals this season and will look to get back on the scoresheet this weekend.
Rayo Vallecano possible starting lineup:
Dimitrievsky; Balliu, Mumin, Lejeune, Chavarria; De Frutos, U Lopez, Valentin, Palazon; Camello, Ntéka
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 put together, but the signs point to a stalemate here. Rayo have shared points in eight of their 15 home league matches this season, including draws in three of their last four, and we can see a close match ending 1-1 on Saturday afternoon.
For data analysis of most likely outcomes, scores and more for this match, please click here.
