Real Mallorca vs Rayo Vallecano Preview & Prediction | 2024-25 Spanish Primera
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Challenging for a top seven finish and European qualification, Real Mallorca have enjoyed a strong start to the season as they now face a Rayo Vallecano side that are also doing well.
KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Sunday 20th October, 2024 - UK – 1:00pm / US ET – 8:00am / US PT – 5:00am
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN have the exclusive rights to La Liga games in the USA, so Real Mallorca vs Rayo Vallecano may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN+
REAL MALLORCA PREVIEW: MARVELOUS MALLORCA
Over the summer, Javier Aguirre departed Mallorca for the Mexican national team job. The Balearic Islanders replaced him with Osasuna coach Jago Arrasate and they have evolved their style with results also being much-improved ahead of this weekend.
The home team begin this weekend’s round of fixtures sitting tucked inside the top seven and the European spots, albeit they did suffer a 2-1 defeat to Espanyol in their most recent outing a couple of weeks ago before the October international break.
RAYO VALLECANO PREVIEW: RAYO’S RISE
The appointment of Andoni Iraola’s former assistant coach Inigo Perez towards the end of last season has brought about a turnaround in Rayo Vallecano’s fortunes with their style of football returning to an intense pressing unit.
The visitors begin the weekend sitting just a point and a place below Mallorca in La Liga. They most recently defeated Real Valladolid by two goals to one at Vallecas and they have now enjoyed a five-match unbeaten run of form.
REAL MALLORCA TEAM NEWS: COUPLE OF KEY ABSENTEES
Real Mallorca have a couple of key injury absentees for this weekend’s visit of Rayo with Belgian defender Siebe Van Der Heyden unavailable alongside Japan forward Takuma Asano.
PREDICTED XI (4-4-1-1): Greif; Pablo Maffeo, Antonio Raillo, Copete, Johan Mojica; Ruben Navarro, Omar Mascarell, Samu Costa, Sergi Darder; Dani Rodriguez; Larin
UNAVAILABLE: Van Der Heyden (Injured), Javi Llabres (Injured), Asano (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
RAYO VALLECANO TEAM NEWS: LEFT-BACK ISSUES
Rayo Vallecano have some left-back issues with first-choice left-back Alfonso Espino sidelined alongside Rayo’s second-choice left-back Pep Chavarria due to respective injuries.
PREDICTED XI (4-4-2): Alex Batalla; Ratiu, Lejeune, Mumin, Balliu; Jorge de Frutos, Oscar Valentin, Unai Lopez, Adrian Embarba; Isi Palazon, Sergio Camello
UNAVAILABLE: Pep Chavarria (Injured), Alfonso Espino (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Diego Mendez (Injured)
REAL MALLORCA VS RAYO VALLECANO PREDICTION
Real Mallorca and Rayo Vallecano are both enjoying positive starts to this season and both will be very pleased at being tucked inside the top-half of La Liga after a couple of months. Mallorca have evolved their style of football to be a bit more proactive, whilst Rayo play a naturally high pressure and high intensity style so it should be quite an entertaining encounter in which both teams scoring looks a good bet.
REAL MALLORCA VS RAYO VALLECANO TIP: BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE
