La Liga | Gameweek 19

Jan 10, 2025 at 8pm UK

Estadio de Vallecas

Rayo Vallecano vs Celta Vigo

Match preview

Rayo have won five, drawn seven and lost six of their 18 La Liga games this season, which gives them a total of 22 points. This puts them in 12th place in the table, seven points ahead of the relegation zone and three points off the top seven.

The team from the capital has been unbeaten in their last six matches in all competitions, including their last four in the league. They beat Valencia 1-0 before drawing three straight games against Real Madrid, Villarreal and Real Betis.

Iñigo Pérez's team started 2025 with a 3-1 win against Racing Ferrol in the Copa del Rey, but now they're focusing on La Liga. They'll be aiming for a good start to the new year in Spain's top division.

Rayo have done better away than at home this season, getting nine points from eight matches at home. They need to improve in the second half of the campaign.

Los Franjirrojos haven't won in their last seven league games against Celta, and both games between the two sides during the 2023-24 season ended in goalless draws.

Meanwhile, Celta were in action in the Copa del Rey on 5 January, securing their spot in the last-16 after beating Segunda Division team Racing de Santander 3-2.

The Sky Blues beat Real Sociedad 2-0 in their last league match on 21 December, and they've now won four of their last five matches in all competitions.

Claudio Giraldez's side are currently 11th in the La Liga table, with seven wins, three draws and eight defeats from 18 matches, which has left them just one point behind seventh-placed Real Sociedad.

Celta have been a fun team to watch in La Liga this term, scoring 27 times but conceding 28. If they can strengthen their defence in the second half of the season, they could well be in the running for the European spots.

The Sky Blues have finished 13th in their last two top-flight campaigns, but they were sixth as recently as 2015-16, which saw them qualify for the group stage of the Europa League.

Recent Performance

Rayo Vallecano La Liga form:LLWDDD

Rayo Vallecano form (all competitions):WWDDDW

Celta Vigo La Liga form:DDLWLW

Celta Vigo form (all competitions):LWWLWW

Team News

Rayo's head coach, Perez, is expected to give Jorge de Frutos a start here after the Spaniard scored twice in the team's 3-1 success over Racing Ferrol in the Copa del Rey in their opening match of 2025.

Raul de Tomas will be sitting this one out for the hosts, and Pelayo Fernandez is a bit of a doubt, but the capital outfit are otherwise in great shape when it comes to their squad.

There'll be changes from the side that started in the cup last time, with Unai Lopez, Isi Palazon, Pep Chavarria, Florian Lejeune and Andrei Ratiu among those set to be brought back into the XI.

As for Celta, Javi Manquillo is out of the match due to an ankle problem, while Jailson, Mihailo Ristic and Joseph Aidoo are doubts.

Alfon Gonzalez scored twice against Racing de Santander in the cup last time out and is expected to continue in the final third of the field, with Borja Iglesias and Pablo Duran also in line for starts on Friday.

Giraldez has picked a strong side for the Copa del Rey, but there'll be changes for this match. Sergio Carreira is set to feature as the right-sided wing-back, while Ilaix Moriba is in line to return in the middle of midfield.

Possible starting lineup

Rayo Vallecano possible starting lineup:

Batalla; Ratiu, Mumin, Lejeune, Chavarria; Ciss, U Lopez; De Frutos, Palazon, A Garcia; Nteka

Celta Vigo possible starting lineup:

Guaita; J Rodriguez, Starfelt, Alonso; Carreira, Beltran, Moriba, Mingueza; Gonzalez, Iglesias, Duran