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We have a Madrid derby in La Liga on Sunday evening as Rayo Vallecano take on Atletico Madrid at Vallecas in what has the potential to be a thrilling encounter in a hostile and exciting encounter.
KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Sunday 22nd September, 2024 - UK – 8:00pm / US ET – 3:00pm / US PT – 12:00pm
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN have the exclusive rights to La Liga games in the USA, so Rayo Vallecano vs Atletico Madrid may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN+
RAYO VALLECANO PREVIEW: RAYO OF LIGHT
Andoni Iraola played an extremely entertaining style of football when he was in charge of Rayo Vallecano before departing for AFC Bournemouth last summer. They then declined quite badly under Francisco last season. He has since been replaced by Andoni Iraola’s assistant coach at Rayo, Inigo Perez.
Inigo Perez’ side have performed well throughout the campaign and they come into this one on the back of an impressive 3-1 defeat of Osasuna at Vallecas last weekend. They were 1-0 down at half-time before second-half strikes from Abdul Mumin, Andrei Ratiu and Unai Lopez to seal the three points.
ATLETICO MADRID PREVIEW: LOS ROJIBLANCOS’ EVOLUTION
After another summer in which Atletico Madrid have spent over £100 million this summer, Atletico Madrid are expected to evolve their style of football this year with the arrivals of the likes of Robin Le Normand, Conor Gallagher, Julian Alvarez and Alexander Sorloth. It has been a bright start to the campaign for Atleti.
They come into this one on the back of a last-gasp defeat of RB Leipzig by two goals to one in the opening match of their UEFA Champions League campaign in midweek. In La Liga, Atletico have remain unbeaten with three victories and two draws so far after hammering Valencia by three goals to nil.
RAYO VALLECANO TEAM NEWS: COUPLE OF ABSENTEES
A key part of Rayo Vallecano’s intense and aggressive style of football is the energy and directness of left-back Alfonso Espino but he remains sidelined.
Alongside the defender, Rayo are also without Diego Mendez but they do have the likes of Jorge de Frutos and Isi Palazon forming part of an entertaining front four.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Alex Batalla; Ratiu, Lejeune, Mumin, Pep Chavarria; Oscar Valentin, Gerard Gumbau; Adrian Embarba, Oscar Trejo, Alvaro Garcia; Sergio Camello
UNAVAILABLE: Alfonso Espino (Injured), Diego Mendez (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
ATLETICO MADRID TEAM NEWS: STILL NO PABLO BARRIOS
In midweek, Diego Simeone made a couple of changes for the clash with RB Leipzig but the likes of Conor Gallagher are expected to come back into the starting eleven.
However, Atletico are dealing with just one absentee for this one against Rayo Vallecano as emerging defensive midfielder Pablo Barrios remains sidelined.
PREDICTED XI (3-5-2): Oblak; Le Normand, Jose Maria Gimenez, Cesar Azpilicueta; Marcos Llorente, De Paul, Koke, Gallagher, Samuel Lino; Griezmann, Sorloth
UNAVAILABLE: Pablo Barrios (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
RAYO VALLECANO VS ATLETICO MADRID PREDICTION
Rayo Vallecano have given some big teams tough games in Madrid, such as the other week when Barcelona had to come from behind to win at Vallecas. They did, though, suffer a 7-0 loss to Atletico Madrid at Vallecas. Rayo will expect to get on the front foot and are able of putting anyone under pressure so will fancy their chances of scoring but Atletico are in a bit of a groove at the moment so are favourites for this one.
RAYO VALLECANO VS ATLETICO MADRID TIP: ATLETICO MADRID TO WIN & BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE