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

Rayo are currently fifth in the table, only three points behind fourth-placed Atletico Madrid, while Getafe sit 19th in Spain's top flight, having collected just 18 points from 20 games in 2022-23.

Match preview

Getafe had suffered four straight La Liga defeats ahead of their trip to Atletico last weekend, but they managed to claim an impressive point at Wanda Metropolitano.

Angel Correa sent Atletico ahead on the hour, but Enes Unal's 83rd-minute penalty secured a valuable point for Quique Sanchez Flores's side, who are in a relegation battle at this stage of the campaign.

Indeed a record of four wins, six draws and 10 defeats from 20 matches has brought them 18 points, which is only enough for 19th position in the table, two points behind Valencia in 17th.

There is still plenty of football to be played before the end of the campaign, though, and they now have two huge home matches against Rayo and Valencia before ending the month away to Villarreal.

The Deep Blue Ones have finished 15th in their last two La Liga campaigns, but they have only played outside of Spain's top flight for one season since 2004, so it would be a surprise to see them relegated.

While Getafe are currently focusing on escaping the bottom three, Rayo have their eyes on what would be a spectacular top-four finish, with Andoni Iraola's side continuing to impress.

Los Franjirrojos have never finished higher than eighth in Spain's top flight, but they are currently in fifth position in the table on 32 points, just three points behind fourth-placed Atletico ahead of the next set of matches.

Rayo have won three of their last four league games, including their last two against Villarreal and Almeria, beating the latter on Monday courtesy of an own goal from Rodrigo Ely and effort from Alvaro Garcia.

The capital outfit are only three points clear of ninth-placed Osasuna, though, so their position in the table could change quickly if they were to suffer a couple of disappointing results.

Rayo actually have the fifth-best away record in La Liga this season, picking up 15 points from 10 matches, while they are unbeaten in their last three top-flight fixtures with Getafe.

There is currently speculation surrounding the team's head coach Iraola, as Leeds United are believed to be keen to speak to him about the managerial position at Elland Road, and it would be a huge blow to lose the 40-year-old at this stage of the campaign.

Getafe La Liga form:

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L

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L

L

D

Getafe form (all competitions):

L

L

L

L

L

D

Rayo Vallecano La Liga form:

D

L

W

L

W

W

Rayo Vallecano form (all competitions):

L

L

W

L

W

W

Team News

Getafe will be missing Djene Dakonam through suspension due to the yellow card that he picked up in the early stages of the 1-1 draw with Atletico last time out.

As a result, Stefan Mitrovic is likely to come into the back three for the home team.

Fabrizio Angileri and Juan Iglesias are also out through injury, so aside from Dakonam, Getafe are likely to have the same squad available from the clash at Wanda Metropolitano.

Borja Mayoral is again set to join Unal in the final third of the field, with Luis Milla and Carles Alena also expected to keep hold of their midfield roles for this match.

As for Rayo, Iraola is expected to have a fully-fit squad for this game, so there is every chance that it could be a case of same again in terms of the starting XI.

That said, Alvaro Garcia capped an impressive substitute appearance with a goal against Almeria last time out, and the attacker could now replace Andres Martin in the starting side.

Radamel Falcao and Raul de Tomas are among the attacking options in reserve, but Sergio Camello is again likely to be given the nod at centre-forward for the first whistle here.

Getafe possible starting lineup:

Soria; Mitrovic, Duarte, Alderete; Amavi, Arambarri, Milla, Alena, Alvarez; Unal, Mayoral

Rayo Vallecano possible starting lineup:

Dimitrievski; Balliu, Lejeune, Catena, F Garcia; Comesana, Valentin; Palazon, Trejo, A Garcia; Camello

We say: Getafe 1-2 Rayo Vallecano

Rayo are on a roll at the moment, and we can see the surprise top-four challengers picking up another three points here. Getafe's home form this season is the second-worst in the league, and although they were much improved against Atletico, Rayo have enough quality to secure another three points on Sunday.

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