Villarreal vs Rayo Vallecano Preview
In an action-packed schedule of the 33rd game week of La Liga, Villarreal is set to host Rayo Vallecano in a vital game of the season. The clash is scheduled to take place at Estadio de la Ceramica on Sunday, 28th April. To know more about the Villarreal vs Rayo Vallecano match in the La Liga 2023-24 season, scroll down below.
The hosts of Sunday’s fixture, Villarreal are gearing up for a top-six finish in the league to secure a direct entry into the next season’s UEFA Europa League. Holding the 9th position in the points tally, they are nine points behind the sixth-placed Real Sociedad. With six matches remaining in the calendar, they will now look to secure all available 18 points and climb up the table as much as possible. The Yellow Submarine will head into their next La Liga contest riding on a hapless 2-1 victory over the 20th-ranked Almeira last week. Their bid for a top-six finish will only be backed if they manage to pip Rayo Vallecano to an impressive win.
Rayo, on the other hand, makes the weekend trip to Villarreal following a hard-fought 2-1 win against Osasuna. After trailing 0-1 till 80th minute, they netted two quick goals before the end of regulation time to complete a resounding comeback at home last week. They currently occupy the 15th spot in the La Liga points table and will look to move further away from the sight of the relegation zone in the coming weeks. The Madrid-based club finished 11th in the Spanish top flight last term, having beaten Barcelona 2-1 and drawn 0-0 against Real Madrid in the process. Another upset on Sunday can not be ruled out now, given the Red Sashes’ recent history against the big teams in the league.
Villarreal vs Rayo Vallecano Team News
Villarreal
For Villarreal, Yeremy Pino has been out for the whole season due to a ligament injury. It is still unclear whether he will be available in the beginning of the next season as well. They will also miss out on Denis Suarez, Eric Bailly, and Juan Foyth, who are not in perfect physical condition to feature in this home game. Manager Marcelino Toral will heavily depend on Alexander Sorloth and Gerard Moreno to step up again to run the scoresheet for the hosts, as both players have been clinical in front of goals. Both of them have combinedly raked up 25 goals and 9 assists this edition, and are eyeing for the La Liga golden boot.
Predicted Playing XI: Jorgensen; Aissa Mandi, Pedraza, K. Femenia, Y. Mosquera, Parejo, Baena, Coquelin, Akhomach, Moreno, Sorloth
Rayo Vallecano
The visitors will enter this contest without the likes of Diego Mendez, Aridane and Kike Perez, with all of them doubtful for Sunday’s clash against Villarreal due to physical discomfort. However, coach Inigo Perez stated that he would closely monitor the situations of these players as the condition might change in the eleventh hour. The most comforting news for the Rayo Vallecano camp is the fast recovery of Alvaro Garcia, who is scheduled to return to action in the first week of May after a long-term injury lay-off.
Predicted Playing XI: S. Dimitrievski; Balliu, A. Mumin, Lejeune, P. Chavarria, Palazon, Unai Lopez, Trejo, O. Valentin, J. Frutos, S. Camello
Villarreal vs Rayo Vallecano Head-to-head Stats
The Villarreal vs Rayo Vallecano game has always been a mouth-watering fixture of La Liga. They locked horns 30 times in the Spanish top flight so far, with Villarreal coming on top as the clear winners. The Yellow Submarine secured 15 victories, while Rayo Vallecano claimed all three points on 8 occasions, with 7 fixtures ending as draws. The last encounter between these two Spanish outfits ended in a 1-1 draw this season.
Last 5 H2H Results:
- Rayo Vallecano 1-1 Villarreal (2023, La Liga)
- Rayo Vallecano 2-1 Villarreal (2023, La Liga)
- Villarreal 0-1 Rayo Vallecano (2023, La Liga)
- Rayo Vallecano 1-5 Villarreal (2022, La Liga)
- Villarreal 2-0 Rayo Vallecano (2021, La Liga)
Villarreal vs Rayo Vallecano Prediction
Villarreal currently ranks 9th in the La Liga points table, while their rivals on the upcoming Sunday hold the 15th spot. This might predict the outcome of the clash scheduled at Estadio de la Ceramica. But, football is not all about ranks, it’s about uncertainty and current form. In the last five meetings between them, both Villarreal and Rayo Vallecano went on to win two games each, with the remaining fixture ending in a draw.
With three wins in their last five La Liga matches, the Yellow Submarine are desperate to complete a top-six finish in the league, in a bid to feature in the UEFA Europa League and stay relevant amongst the elite teams in Spain. Rayo Vallecano, on the flip side, are roaring to continue their winning momentum to distance themselves from the relegation zone. However, with the current fine run of form Villarreal in, they are the clear favorites to be on the winning side at home on Sunday, despite the indication of a close game of football.
Predicted Score: Villarreal 2-1 Rayo Vallecano
Villarreal vs Rayo Vallecano Odds & Betting Tips
Betting Tips
- Villarreal to beat Rayo Vallecano
- Both teams to score – yes
- Goals over 2.5 – yes
Odds
- Villarreal: 2.68
- Draw: 1.72
- Rayo Vallecano: 2.24 (Subject to change)
Villarreal vs Rayo Vallecano La Liga Match Schedule & Telecast Details
- Venue: Estadi de la Ceramica
- Schedule: Sunday, 28th April at 4:30 PM (GMT)
- India: Sports18, Jio Cinema
- UK: Premier Sports, ITV
- USA: ESPN+
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