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Following promotion last season, Real Valladolid’s performance have been steady in the opening month and a half of the campaign as they now take on a Rayo Vallecano side that have been once again intense and thrilling to watch.
KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Saturday 5th October, 2024 - UK – 5:30pm / US ET – 12:30pm / US PT – 9:30am
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN have the exclusive rights to La Liga games in the USA, so Real Valladolid vs Rayo Vallecano may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN+
REAL VALLADOLID PREVIEW: VERSATILE VALLADOLID
Under the management of Uruguayan coach Paolo Pezzolano, Real Valladolid gained automatic promotion last season and their best piece of business over the summer, led by owner and chairman Ronaldo Nazario, was keeping Pezzolano. However, they have struggled so far this season.
On the opening weekend of the campaign, Valladolid managed a 1-0 win against fellow newly-promoted side Espanyol at the Jose Zorrilla but are now on what is a seven-match winless run of form. Their most recent outing saw them suffer a 2-1 defeat to Real Mallorca in which the one-goal deficit certainly flattered them.
RAYO VALLECANO PREVIEW: RAYO OF LIGHT
A couple of seasons ago, Rayo Vallecano were one of the most watchable teams of anyone in Spain’s top-flight under Andoni Iraola. His departure to AFC Bournemouth led to an underwhelming campaign last year but the appointment of his former assistant, 34-year-old Inigo Perez, has reignited their intense style of football.
They have caused major issues to both Barcelona and Atletico Madrid at Vallecas already so far this season and the visitors have suffered just two defeats in their opening eight matches so far this season. They come into this one on the back of three successive defeats with their most recent outing being a 1-1 draw at home to Leganes.
REAL VALLADOLID TEAM NEWS: DEFENSIVE ABSENTEES
In the opening month of the campaign, Valladolid were self-inflicted in not finding a settled eleven as Pezzolano kept making changes based on the opposition.
Now changes will have to happen once again with these being enforced as Turkish defender Cenk Ozkacar remains sidelined alongside Javi Sanchez with Anuar also a doubt.
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Hein; Perez, Juma Bah, Torres, Rosa; Martin, Cumart, Perez; Moro, Latasa, Machis
UNAVAILABLE: Ozkacar (Injured), Sanchez (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Anuar (Injured)
RAYO VALLECANO TEAM NEWS: DEFENSIVE ISSUES
Rayo Vallecano play an excellent style of football that is aided and almost reliant upon the thrust from full-backs but both left-backs, Alvaro Espino and Pep Chavarria, remain sidelined.
However, even with the absence of Diego Mendez, Rayo do have an abundance of attacking options such as Jorge de Frutos, James Rodriguez, Alvaro Garcia, Sergio Camello and Isi Palazon.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Batalla; Ratiu, Lejeune, Mumin, Balliu; Lopez, Ciss; De Frutos, James, Garcia; Camello
UNAVAILABLE: Chavarria (Injured), Espino (Injured), Mendez (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
REAL VALLADOLID VS RAYO VALLECANO PREDICTION
Real Valladolid are perhaps flattered by not being rock-bottom given the fact they have collected just two points from a possible 21 since the opening day of the campaign. Rayo Vallecano’s weakness is a profligacy and lack of precision in attack but that should be aided by James Rodriguez getting up to speed. It would seem a good bet to side with the visitors for this one in Valladolid.
REAL VALLADOLID VS RAYO VALLECANO TIP: DOUBLE CHANCE – RAYO VALLECANO TO WIN OR DRAW