Valenciavs.Rayo Vallecano

Both sides will enter the game off the back of Copa del Rey successes, with Valencia progressing to the third round courtesy of a 3-1 success over Ejea, while Rayo beat Unionistas de Salamanca 3-2 to advance to the next stage.

Match preview

Valencia have only lost one of their last five matches in all competitions, which was a narrow defeat at Mallorca in La Liga last weekend, but they were back to winning ways in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday night, beating Ejea in round two.

Los Che have only picked up 10 points from their 13 La Liga matches this season, which has left them in 19th spot in the division, but they are only three points behind 17th-placed Getafe and have two games in hand on the capital side.

Ruben Baraja's side have won two, drawn two and lost two of their six league matches at Mestalla this term, and they will be coming up against a Rayo side that have struggled for goals on their travels in 2024-25, hitting just five in their seven away fixtures.

Valencia will believe that they have enough quality to climb the table in the coming weeks, and they have another four games before the winter break in Spain, tackling Real Valladolid, Espanyol and Alaves in their three after this one.

Los Che are unbeaten in their last three La Liga fixtures with Rayo, but the corresponding game last term finished 0-0.

Rayo have actually avoided defeat on each of their last three La Liga visits to Valencia, including a 0-0 at Mestalla last term, and they have been tough to score against on their travels this season, conceding just six times.

As mentioned, the capital side were also in Copa del Rey action on Wednesday, beatung Unionistas de Salamanca 3-2 in order to progress to the third round of the competition, but they lost 2-1 at home to Athletic Bilbao in La Liga last weekend.

Inigo Perez's side have lost each of their last three league matches against Las Palmas, Sevilla and Athletic, while they have been beaten in four of their last five during a disappointing run of form.

Rayo are currently 13th in the table, boasting a record of four wins, four draws and six defeats from 14 matches to collect 16 points, which has left them six points ahead of their opponents this weekend.

Los Franjirrojos finished 17th in La Liga last term, so there is plenty of room for improvement this season.

Valencia La Liga form:

L

D

L

D

W

L

Valencia form (all competitions):

L

D

W

D

L

W

Rayo Vallecano La Liga form:

W

L

W

L

L

L

Rayo Vallecano form (all competitions):

W

W

L

L

L

W

Team News

Valencia will be without the services of five players on Saturday through injury, with Dimitri Foulquier, Maximiliano Caufriez, Ruben Iranzo, Thierry Correia and Mouctar Diakhaby all unavailable for selection.

Head coach Baraja made wholesale changes to his side for the clash with Ejea in the Copa del Rey, but the likes of Yarek Gasiorowski, Javi Guerra, Luis Rioja and Hugo Duro will be back in the XI for this match.

Foulquier's absence will open up the right-sided wing-back spot, which is expected to be filled by Jesus Vazquez.

As for Rayo, Raul de Tomas is unavailable for selection, but the capital outfit could otherwise have a full squad.

Adri Embarba came off the bench to score against Unionistas de Salamanca in the Copa del Rey, and the Spaniard is set to be among a number of players to come back into the side for the league affair.

Randy Nteka, Isi Palazon, Pep Chavarria and Pathe Ciss are also in line for recalls, with the latter available for selection on Saturday night despite being sent off in the Copa del Rey last time out.

Valencia possible starting lineup:

Mamardashvili; Vazquez, Tarrega, Mosquera, Gasiorowski, Gaya; Rioja, Barrenechea, Guerra, D Lopez; Duro

Rayo Vallecano possible starting lineup:

Batalla; Ratiu, Lejeune, Mumin, Chavarria; Palazon, Ciss, Valentin, A Garcia; Nteka, Embarba

We say: Valencia 1-0 Rayo Vallecano

Valencia have not beaten Rayo at home in La Liga since November 2018, and it would not be a surprise to see a draw this weekend, but Los Che will enter this match in the better form, and we fancy the hosts to secure a narrow victory against Perez's team.

Written by

Matt Law

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