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

The home side have picked up nine points from their last four La Liga fixtures to rise into 10th spot in the table, while Rayo are in eighth, having collected 13 points from their nine games in 2023-24.

Match preview

Las Palmas only managed to gather two points from their first league matches of the campaign, with the team struggling to adjust to life back at this level following their promotion from the Segunda Division last term.

Los Amarillos have been excellent over the last month, though, collecting nine points from their four matches, with their only loss during that run coming away to league leaders Real Madrid.

Garcia Pimienta's side have beaten Celta Vigo and Villarreal in their last two matches, with a total of 11 points from nine games leaving them in 10th position in the table.

Las Palmas are now just four points behind sixth-placed Real Sociedad, which is an indication of how quickly things can change, and the team looks to have more than enough quality to survive this term.

La Union Deportiva spent five seasons in the Segunda Division before securing a return back to this level, and they have not finished higher than 11th in Spain's top flight since claiming sixth in 1978-79, so there is something huge for Pio Pio to work towards this term.

Rayo, meanwhile, have also made a solid start to the season, boasting a record of three wins, four draws and two defeats from their nine matches to collect 13 points, which has left them in eighth position.

Los Franjirrojos will bring a six-game unbeaten run in all competitions into this match, but each of their last four matches, which have all been in La Liga, have finished level.

Indeed, Francisco's side drew with Villarreal, Cadiz and Mallorca before playing out a 2-2 draw with Sevilla before the international break; Rayo were actually 2-0 ahead against Sevilla at Estadio Ramon, but the home side managed to fight back to level, with their second coming in the 96th minute.

The Vallecas-based outfit have finished 12th and 11th in their last two seasons at this level, and it would not be a surprise to see them in a similar position come the end of the campaign.

Three of the last four meetings between these two sides, which have all been in the Segunda Division, have finished level, but Rayo won 2-0 in their last La Liga clash in February 2016.

Las Palmas La Liga form:

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Rayo Vallecano La Liga form:

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Team News

Las Palmas have a lengthy injury list at the moment, with Eric Curbelo, Julian Araujo, Omenuke Mfulu, Sandro Ramirez, Benito Ramirez, Alberto Moleiro and Fabio Gonzalez all on the sidelines.

The home side did not pick up any fresh fitness issues in their win over Villarreal, though, and it would not be a surprise to see the same XI take to the field for this contest.

Munir El Haddadi played in a wide area last time out and that is again expected to be the case here, with Marc Cardona, who has two league goals to his name this term, operating through the middle.

Rayo, meanwhile, are in good shape in terms of their squad, with Randy Nteka - out until November with a muscular problem - their only confirmed absentee for this match, with Khalid Abdul Mumin available again following a suspension.

Head coach Francisco has decisions to make in terms of the forward positions, and there could be a recall for Sergio Camello, with the Spaniard potentially operating alongside Raul de Tomas.

Alvaro Garcia and Oscar Valentin are certain starters in midfield, while Isi Palazon should retain his spot on the right, meaning that Jorge de Frutos is likely to have to accept a position among the substitutes once again.

Las Palmas possible starting lineup:

Valles; A Suarez, Coco, Marmol, S Cardona; El Haddadi, Munoz, K Rodriguez, Loiodice, Pejuno; M Cardona

Rayo Vallecano possible starting lineup:

Dimitrievski; Balliu, Aridane, Lejeune, Espino; Palazon, Ciss, Valentin, A Garcia; Camello, De Tomas

We say: Las Palmas 1-1 Rayo Vallecano

Las Palmas are in excellent form at the moment, but Rayo are a difficult side to beat, and we have had to settle on a low-scoring draw here. Rayo did the double over Las Palmas when the two teams last met in Spain's top flight in 2015-16, but we are expecting the points to be shared on Sunday.

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