Rayo Vallecano vs Real Valladolid predictions and match preview for Thursday’s LaLiga fixture. Read on for analysis, team news and predicted lineups as the visitors target a road win in the fight for survival.
| Date | Thursday 4th May 2023 |
| Kick-Off | 22:00 (CEST) |
| Stadium | Vallecas |
| Competition | LaLiga |
Rayo Vallecano vs Real Valladolid Preview
Vallecas is the setting for Thursday’s showdown between Rayo Vallecano and Real Valladolid. Both sides suffered heavy defeats in their most recent fixtures and will be looking to bounce back here.
Rayo Vallecano have once again shown themselves to be capable of both brilliant performances and bafflingly bad ones over the past fortnight. They were outstanding in their last home game, beating leaders Barcelona 2-1 with Andoni Iraola’s side extending their fine recent record over the Catalan giants. However they responded three days later with a crushing 4-0 defeat at bottom club Elche.
Florian Lejeune’s 27th minute red card was a factor in that outcome but a lack of squad depth and a bit of fatigue following the Barcelona win may also have had a big role to play. They have at least had a longer break than some teams playing this matchday, heading into this game, so Rayo should be reasonably well refreshed to get back towards their usual intensity levels here.
It’s also a little bit hard to know exactly what to expect from Real Valladolid. They’ve certainly had the feel of a more positive and more dangerous team since appointing Paulo Pezzolano. However they have tended to shoot themselves in the foot at times with goalkeeping errors from Jordi Masip causing them problems in recent games.
Having taken 7 points from their first 3 games under their new boss, Real Valladolid head into this following back-to-back defeats. A 93rd minute wonder goal denied them a point in the key relegation six-pointer at Valencia and they then were defeated 5-2 at home by Atletico Madrid, although Pezzolano’s side were excellent in the middle portion of that game, coming very close to levelling the game up, having trailed 3-0 at one stage.
Team News & Possible Lineups
Rayo Vallecano
| INJURED | Falcao |
| DOUBTFUL | |
| BANNED | Lejeune |
Possible XI: Dimitrievski – Fran Garcia, Catena, Mumin, Balliu – Comesana, Valentin – Alvaro Garcia, Trejo, Isi – Camello (4-2-3-1)
Coach: Andoni Iraola
Real Valladolid
| INJURED | Amallah, Anuar |
| DOUBTFUL | Machis, Joaquin Fernandez |
| BANNED |
Possible XI: Masip – Javi Sanchez, Hongla, El Yamiq – Escudero, Monchu, Aguado, Kike Perez, Fresneda – Larin, Plata (3-5-2)
Coach: Paulo Pezzolano
Score Prediction: Rayo Vallecano 2-1 Real Valladolid
This promises to be a pretty open contest with both sides looking to play positive football under bright, young coaches. There are more flaws in this Real Valladolid side though and the change in boss has done nothing to improve their defensive issues, so a home win looks the most likely outcome.
PLEASE NOTE – Our LaLiga predictions and previews 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.
#Rayo #Vallecano #Real #Valladolid #Predictions #Match #Preview