La Liga | Gameweek 23

Feb 7, 2025 at 8pm UK

Estadio de Vallecas

Rayo Vallecano vs Valladolid

Match preview

Rayo have won eight, drawn eight and lost six of their 22 La Liga games this term, picking up 32 points to sit sixth in the table, just five points behind fifth-placed Villarreal.

Los Franjirrojos are unbeaten in their last eight games in the Spanish top flight, winning four of them, including three of their last four in the league against Celta Vigo, Girona and Leganes.

The capital side have never finished higher than eighth in La Liga, so they have a bit of history on their side this season and look set to improve on their 17th-place finish in 2023-24.

Inigo Perez's side have performed better on the road than at home this season, picking up 17 of their 32 points away from home, but Real Valladolid have lost 10 of their 11 league games away from home.

Rayo are on a three-match winning streak against Real Valladolid, including a 2-1 victory in the reverse fixture earlier this season, while they have not lost a top-flight match at home to Friday's opponents since October 2013.

Real Valladolid have not exactly been left in the dust, but they are currently eight points behind 17th-placed Espanyol, which is worrying considering they have taken just 15 points from their first 22 games of the season.

A record of four wins, three draws and 15 defeats has left them bottom of the table on 15 points and they have lost their last three league games against Espanyol, Real Madrid and Villarreal, conceding ten goals in the process.

Diego Cocca's men have conceded 47 times in La Liga this season, the worst defensive record by far, while they are the lowest scorers with 15 goals, so it is easy to see why it has been a tough campaign.

The White and Violets finished second in the Segunda Division in 2024-25, but they have struggled to adjust to life at the top level and face the very real threat of relegation back to the second tier for the 2025-26 season.

Recent Performance

Rayo Vallecano La Liga form:DDWDWW

Rayo Vallecano form (all competitions):WWLDWW

Real Valladolid La Liga form:WLWLLL

Real Valladolid form (all competitions):LLWLLL

Team News

Rayo will again be without Raul de Tomas and Joni Montiel on Friday, while Randy Nteka is suspended after picking up a yellow card in the 1-0 win over Leganes last time out.

The only change to the team that started against Leganes could come in the final third, with Sergio Camello expected to benefit from Nteka's absence.

Adri Embarba is another name that will be on the coach's mind when it comes to possible changes, but Jorge de Frutos, Isi Palazon and Alvaro Garcia should all retain their starting roles.

As for Real Valladolid, Raul Moro remains on the sidelines with a collarbone injury, but otherwise the strugglers are in good shape for their trip to the capital on Friday night.

Mario Martin is back in contention after serving a suspension against Villarreal, and the Spaniard is in contention for a place in the middle of midfield.

Despite the nature of the defeat last time out, coach Cocca will resist the temptation to shuffle his pack, with Marcos Andre likely to lead the line again, while Mamadou Sylla is expected to continue in a wide position.

Possible starting lineup

Rayo Vallecano possible starting lineup:

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

Real Valladolid possible starting lineup:

Hein; Perez, J Sanchez, Torres, Rosa; Tuhami, Martin, Juric, Amallah, Sylla; Andre