Burkina Faso
Czech Republic
EL Salvador
Indonesia
Lithuania
Montenegro
North Macedonia
South Africa
United Arab Emirates

Preview: Alaves vs. Rayo Vallecano - prediction, team news, lineups

sportsmole.co.uk, 8 March 2024, 11:51
Two teams in disappointing form will lock horns in Spain's top flight on Sunday afternoon, with Alaves welcoming Rayo Vallecano to Mendizorrotza Stadium.

The home side are currently 13th in the La Liga table, 10 points clear of the relegation zone, while Rayo are 16th, seven points ahead of the bottom three with 11 games left.

Match preview

Alaves secured a return to Spain's top flight through last season's Segunda Division playoffs, so any spot over 18th would be considered a successful 2023-24 campaign for the club.

The Blue and Whites have performed above expectations this season, picking up 29 points from their 27 matches to sit in 13th position in the table, which has left them 10 points clear of the relegation zone.

Luis Garcia's side are without a victory in their last five league matches, though, and they will enter this game off the back of a 1-0 defeat to Osasuna on Monday night.

Alaves have been inconsistent at home this season, winning five, drawing three and losing five of their 13 matches to collect 18 points, and they will be welcoming a Rayo outfit with the sixth-best away record in La Liga during the 2023-24 campaign.

El Glorioso recorded a 1-0 victory over Rayo in the corresponding match between the two sides during the 2021-22 campaign, but they suffered a 2-0 loss to the capital outfit in the reverse fixture earlier this season.

Rayo, meanwhile, will enter this match off the back of a 1-1 draw with Cadiz on Saturday, with the result stretching their winless run in Spain's top flight to eight matches.

Los Franjirrojos have finished 12th and 11th in their last two La Liga campaigns, but their recent issues have seen them drop into 16th position in the table, seven points clear of the relegation zone.

Inigo Perez's side are not in any immediate danger, but a couple more poor results in quick succession would certainly leave them looking over their shoulder at a key stage of the campaign.

Rayo, as mentioned, have been relatively strong on the road this season, picking up 16 points from 14 matches, but they have struggled at home, only winning one of their 13 games.

The capital outfit are the second-lowest goalscorers in Spain's top flight this season with 23, while Alaves have only netted 25 times in 2023-24, which is the joint-fourth worst attacking record.

Alaves La Liga form:

W

L

D

D

D

L

Rayo Vallecano La Liga form:

L

L

L

D

L

D

Team News

Alaves will again be missing Aleksandar Sedlar due to a long-term knee injury, while Ruben Duarte and Adrian Rodriguez remain doubts for the Basque outfit.

Abdel Abqar will also need to be assessed, having been forced off early against Osasuna last time out, so there could be a start in the middle of the defence for Nahuel Tenaglia.

Head coach Garcia is expected to again select a 4-3-3 formation, with Luis Rioja and Alex Sola operating in the wide positions, and Samu Omorodion continuing through the middle.

As for Rayo, Diego Mendez remains unavailable for selection due to a thigh problem, but Pep Chavarria is available after serving a suspension last time out.

Head coach Perez is expected to resist the temptation to shuffle his pack following the clash with Cadiz, with Raul de Tomas set to retain his spot through the middle.

However, Unai Lopez could be brought into the side in an attacking position, while Jorge de Frutos is also pushing to be involved from the first whistle this weekend.

Alaves possible starting lineup:

Sivera; Gorosabel, Tenaglia, Marin, Lopez; Guevara, Benavidez, Guridi; Sola, Omorodion, Rioja

Rayo Vallecano possible starting lineup:

Dimitrievski; Balliu, Aridane, Lejeune, Espino; Crespo, Valentin; Palazon, U Lopez, A Garcia; De Tomas

We say: Alaves 1-1 Rayo Vallecano

It is difficult to back either side with any real confidence at the moment, and we are expecting the points to be shared on Sunday. Alaves have drawn eight times in the league this season, while Rayo have shared the points on 11 occasions, and we are predicting 1-1 this weekend.

Previews by email
Show more

Top News

1 March 2025 talksport.com Wilfried Zaha has wasted no time adjusting to life in MLS with Charlotte FC. 1 March 2025 talksport.com Al Nassr cult hero Anderson Talisca has got involved in his old side's affairs, leading to suggestions he was targeting Cristiano Ronaldo. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City's teenage starlet Nico O'Reilly was at the double as the Sky Blues secured a place in the FA Cup quarter-finals courtesy of a 3-1 comeback win over a spirited Plymouth Argyle side at the Etihad Stadium. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid's La Liga title hopes suffered a setback in Seville on Saturday evening, with the reigning champions suffering a 2-1 defeat to Manuel Pellegrini's Real Betis outfit. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid have reportedly joined the race for Bournemouth defender Milos Kerkez, with Los Blancos preparing to battle a number of clubs for his signature during this summer's transfer window. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Goztepe SK will look to end their four-game winless league run when they welcome Samsunspor to the Gursel Aksel Stadium on Monday. 1 March 2025 talksport.com Wolves talisman Matheus Cunha left his side a man down and out of the FA Cup with a bizarre last minute red card. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona are reportedly interested in signing Manchester United attacker Alejandro Garnacho during this summer's transfer window. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United reportedly view Aston Villa head coach Unai Emery as a potential replacement for Ruben Amorim, should the club decide to make another change in the dug-out at the end of the campaign. 1 March 2025 talksport.com Millwall supporters are set to be investigated by the Football Association for homophobic chants aimed at Ben Chilwell. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has made 11 changes to his starting lineup for this evening's FA Cup fifth-round tie against Plymouth Argyle at the Etihad Stadium. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk The reigning FA Cup holders take on a team who have never won the tournament in Sunday's fifth-round contest, as Manchester United welcome Fulham to their Old Trafford home. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid defender Raul Asencio has apparently turned down Los Blancos' first offer of a new contract amid interest from 'several teams' in the burgeoning centre-back. 1 March 2025 talksport.com A new rule is set to be introduced next season to combat time-wasting from goalkeepers. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Following their cup success in midweek, Sporting Lisbon will aim to build on that momentum when they return to Primeira Liga action on Monday for round 24, welcoming Estoril Praia to Estadio Jose Alvalade. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona will continue their La Liga campaign with a home fixture against Real Sociedad on Sunday afternoon. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Bayern Munich director of sport Max Eberl has warned Joshua Kimmich that no player is above the club as the Arsenal-linked midfielder reportedly hesitates over a new contract. 1 March 2025 talksport.com Despite an initially promising start in coaching, John Terry is now set to switch careers. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal are reportedly prepared to rival AC Milan for Wolverhampton Wanderers defender Rayan Ait-Nouri. 1 March 2025 talksport.com Jose Mourinho's four-match ban has been halved and his £35,000 fine reduced after a successful appeal. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool have reportedly not ruled out the prospect of making an effort to sign Chelsea defender Levi Colwill this summer. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Konyaspor will be looking to inject some much-needed momentum into their survival fight in the Turkish Super Lig when they host Trabzonspor at Torku Arena on Monday. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Two sides looking to bounce back from recent defeats in the Turkish Super Lig go head-to-head on Monday as Gaziantep host Eyupspor at the Gaziantep Stadium 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk AC Milan are reportedly interested in signing Manchester United midfielder Casemiro this summer. 1 March 2025 talksport.com Burnley players refused to shake the hand of Preston's Milutin Osmajic, who was accused of racism by Clarets star Hannibal Mejbri just two weeks ago. 1 March 2025 talksport.com Jean-Philippe Mateta was rushed to hospital after a shocking challenge from Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts. 1 March 2025 talksport.com talkSPORT has you covered for all the latest news as the FA Cup takes centre stage this weekend. 1 March 2025 talksport.com talkSPORT has you covered for all the latest news as the FA Cup takes centre stage this weekend. 1 March 2025 talksport.com talkSPORT has you covered for all the latest news as the FA Cup takes centre stage this weekend. 1 March 2025 talksport.com talkSPORT has you covered for all the latest news as the FA Cup takes centre stage this weekend.