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

Andoni Iraola's side are currently eighth in the table, only two points behind fifth-placed Villarreal, while Almeria have also had a strong season thus far, occupying 11th position in Spain's top flight.

Match preview

Rayo finished 12th on their return to La Liga last season, but the team are currently eyeing their first top-half position in Spain's top flight since claiming eighth in 2012-13.

Los Vallecanos have picked up 29 points from their opening 19 matches of the season to sit eighth, just two points behind fifth-placed Villarreal, while they are 10 points ahead of the relegation zone.

Iraola's side will enter this match off the back of an impressive 1-0 victory over Villarreal last time out, with Sergio Camello scoring the only goal of the contest in the 70th minute.

Rayo have the fifth-best away record in La Liga this season, but they have only picked up 14 points from their nine games at home, which is a relatively low return considering their spot in the table.

The capital outfit have won four of their last five top-flight games against Almeria, although they suffered a 3-1 defeat when the two teams locked horns for the reverse fixture earlier this season.

Almeria, meanwhile, will also be pleased with their season to date, having picked up 22 points from 19 matches to sit 11th in the table heading into the next set of fixtures.

There are only three points separating them from the relegation zone, though, which is an indication of his quickly things could change towards the bottom of the division.

La Union, who are the reigning Segunda Division champions, will enter this contest off the back of a 3-1 victory over Espanyol on January 27, with Luis Suarez, Leo Baptistao and Portillo on the scoresheet.

Rubi's team have only lost one of their last six in the league, with the run including a 1-1 draw at home to Atletico Madrid in the middle of January.

Almeria's away form this season has been poor, though, picking up just three points from nine matches, with their success being built on a strong home record, which is actually the fifth-best in the division.

Rayo Vallecano La Liga form:

D

D

L

W

L

W

Rayo Vallecano form (all competitions):

D

L

L

W

L

W

Almeria La Liga form:

W

D

L

D

D

W

Team News

Rayo are again expected to be without the services of Oscar Valentin due to a muscular problem, but the home side are otherwise in good shape ahead of this match.

Head coach Iraola could decide to select the same XI that took to the field against Villarreal, with Andres Martin likely to retain his spot in a wide area.

Radamel Falcao and Unai Lopez are among the options for change, but Camello's goal against Villarreal should see the attacker continue in the centre-forward spot.

As for Almeria, Kaiky remains a fitness doubt, but the visitors are otherwise in strong shape for the game.

As a result, it would not be a shock to see the same side that featured from the first whistle against Espanyol due to the impressiveness of the performance and the result.

Luis Suarez should retain his spot at centre-forward, with Baptistao and Adri Embarba expected to operate in the wide positions for the away team.

Rayo Vallecano possible starting lineup:

Dimitrievski; Balliu, Lejeune, Catena, F Garcia; Comesana, Ciss; Palazon, Trejo, Martin; Camello

Almeria possible starting lineup:

Martinez; Pozo, Ely, Babic, Akieme; Robertone, De la Hoz, Melero; Baptistao, Suarez, Embarba

We say: Rayo Vallecano 1-0 Almeria

Almeria are having an impressive season, but their away form has been so disappointing. Indeed, the promoted outfit are yet to win a single match on their travels, so it is difficult to back them to beat a strong Rayo outfit. It would not be a shock to see a draw here, but we are just backing Rayo to secure all three points.

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