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Rayo Vallecano vs Atletico Madrid predictions and match preview for Sunday’s LaLiga fixture. Read on for analysis, team news and predicted lineups ahead of this Madrid derby.
| Date | Sunday 9th April 2023 |
| Kick-Off | 21:00 (CET) |
| Stadium | Vallecas |
| Competition | LaLiga |
Rayo Vallecano vs Atletico Madrid Preview
Sunday’s action in LaLiga concludes with a derby clash in Vallecas as Atletico Madrid make the short trip to play city rivals Rayo Vallecano. The visitors are in great form and are hoping to compete for 2nd place having closed the gap to Real Madrid in recent weeks.
Rayo Vallecano meanwhile have been faltering a bit. While it’s perhaps an overly simplistic conclusion to draw, their results have certainly tailed off since around the time Andoni Iraola was strongly courted by Premier League Leeds United. Rayo are winless in seven games now, but they have drawn five of those and it’d be an exaggeration to say that the wheels have come off.
They are still in the running for European qualification, although will find it very hard to finish above 7th which will only offer Conference League football should Real Madrid beat Osasuna in the Copa del Rey Final. Despite their decline only three teams have left Vallecas with maximum points this term and with a fully fit squad available, Atleti will have to play well to claim the win.
That hasn’t been a problem of late for Diego Simeone’s side. There is a real belief about them again, something that was so badly lacking in the early stage of the campaign when they very rarely looked convincing and saw their league and European hopes quickly evaporate.
Things are much brighter now and they are brighter in all areas of the pitch it seems. Defensively they’ve settled down with a consistent back three of Mario Hermoso, Jose Maria Gimenez and Stefan Savic. The midfield looks more balanced with Koke being utilised in the holding role while Marcos Llorente and Rodrigo De Paul are showing signs of forming a strong partnership in front of him. Meanwhile Antoine Griezmann is providing much of the spark in the final third, although it was actually Angel Correa who popped up with a brilliant winner against Betis last time out.
Team News & Possible Lineups
Rayo Vallecano
Possible XI: Dimitrievski – Fran Garcia, Catena, Lejeune, Balliu – Comesana, Valentin – Alvaro Garcia, Trejo, Isi – Camello (4-2-3-1)
Coach: Andoni Iraola
Atletico Madrid
| INJURED | Reinildo, Depay |
| DOUBTFUL | Reguilon |
| BANNED |
Possible XI: Oblak – Hermoso, Gimenez, Savic – Carrasco, Koke, De Paul, Llorente, Molina – Morata, Griezmann (3-5-2)
Coach: Diego Simeone
Score Prediction: Rayo Vallecano 0-1 Atletico Madrid
Rayo haven’t been quite as productive in the final third of late with only five goals in their last seven league outings and that suggests they may find it hard to break down this solid Atletico Madrid defence. The visitors will not have it all their own way by any means, but they may have just enough to again find the goal that may settle this.
PLEASE NOTE – Our LaLiga match predictions are not betting tips! No profits are guaranteed if you’re using them to bet on Spanish football. If you are gambling, do so responsibly and never stake more than you can afford to lose. BeGambleAware.
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