Rayo Vallecano vs Alaves Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 Spanish Primera
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THE FACTS
When is Rayo Vallecano vs Alaves on and what time does it start? Rayo Vallecano vs Alaves will take place on Friday 15th September, 2023 – 18:00 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Rayo Vallecano vs Alaves? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What TV channel is Rayo Vallecano vs Alaves on in the UK? Rayo Vallecano vs Alaves will be televised live on LaLigaTV, but La Liga matches are also televised occasionally on Viaplay Sports and ITV
Where can I stream Rayo Vallecano vs Alaves in the UK? Rayo Vallecano vs Alaves can be streamed live on Viaplay, while ITV matches can be streamed live on ITVX
THE LOWDOWN
RAYO VALLECANO
Over the summer, Rayo Vallecano had concerns about the upcoming campaign because they lost their manager Andoni Iraola to AFC Bournemouth as well as several key players such as Alejandro Catena, Fran Garcia and Santi Comesana. They have managed to sign well and appointed Francisco to steady the ship but Rayo are one of the most disorganised and neglected clubs in Spain’s top-flight.
They did, though, surprisingly, begin the season with back-to-back 2-0 away wins in Andalusia. Firstly against Almeria and then at newly-promoted Granada. Their third game was a travesty, though, as they were annihilated by seven goals to nil against Atletico Madrid in their opening game at Vallecas this season. That loss was followed up with a more respectable 1-0 defeat against Real Betis.
ALAVES
In their first season following La Liga relegation in 2022, Alaves gained promotion back to the top-flight via the playoffs in the Segunda last season. Under the management of Luis Garcia Plaza, El Glorioso play a stereotypically Basque style of football in quite a rough and rugged manner but it has worked for them so far this season after just four matches.
In their opening four games of the 2023/24 La Liga campaign, Alaves have managed two victories and two defeats so far. Their most recent outing, prior to the international break, was a slender 1-0 victory over Valencia a couple of weeks ago. They have won two at home, against Valencia and Sevilla, but suffered two defeats on the road away to Cadiz and Getafe.
THE TEAM NEWS
RAYO VALLECANO
Francisco is already tinkering with Rayo’s system in the hope of stumbling into some consistent performances, having initially stated that he would seek to keep much of the same of what Iraola had done.
PREDICTED XI (4-4-2): Dimitrievski; Balliu, Aridane, Lejeune, Espino; Palazon, Ciss, Valentin, Garcia; de Tomas, Nteka
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE: Pozo (Injured)
ALAVES
Luis Garcia Plata has a pretty much fully fit and available squad bar the long-term absentee of Giuliano Simeone, who suffered a horrific leg-break in pre-season after joining on loan from Atletico Madrid
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Sivera; Gorosabel, Marin, Sedlar, Duarte; Guevara, Blanco; Alkain, Guridi, Rioja; Kike
UNAVAILABLE: Simeone (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
THE PREDICTION
Both of these sides are expected to be down at the bottom end of the table this season and they are both expected to struggle against the drop. Rayo began with two surprise victories but in both performances there was cause for concern and that concern has only grown since those wins. Alaves, on the other hand, have also remained relatively impressive with some results, albeit inconsistent in terms of the style and quality of their performances. A low-scoring encounter is expected between two evenly matched sides.
TIP: UNDER 2.5 GOALS
