Match preview

Rayo Vallecano head into this fixture full of confidence after an emotional and highly successful week. Iñigo Pérez’s side secured their place in the Conference League final by eliminating Strasbourg 2-0 on aggregate, setting up a historic showdown with Crystal Palace. Their domestic form has also remained strong, with a convincing 2-0 win over Getafe in their latest La Liga outing moving them within two points of seventh place.

The Madrid club are enjoying one of their most stable periods of the season, having won four of their last five matches across all competitions. Although Isi Palazón is suspended and Luis Felipe remains sidelined, the expected returns of Camello, Pedro Díaz, Álvaro García, and Randy Nteka should freshen up the attack following the physically demanding European schedule.

Girona, meanwhile, arrive in a far more uncomfortable situation. Míchel’s side sit 16th in the table and remain just two points above the relegation zone after suffering three consecutive league defeats against Betis, Valencia, and Mallorca. With difficult fixtures against Real Sociedad, Atlético Madrid, and Elche still to come, the pressure is rapidly increasing on the Catalan side.

Injuries and suspensions continue to complicate matters for the visitors. Vanat, Portu, Juan Carlos, and ter Stegen are unavailable, Bryan Gil is suspended, while Abel Ruiz and Donny van de Beek are both fitness doubts. As a result, Girona’s attacking responsibility is likely to fall on Tsygankov, Unai, and Manchester City loanee Claudio Echeverri.

Probable lineups

Rayo Vallecano: Batalla, Ratiu, Lejeune, Mendy, Chavarría, Díaz, Valentín, Pérez, Nteka, Álvaro García, Camello.

Girona: Gazzaniga, Martínez, Blind, Reis, Moreno, Witsel, Beltrán, Tsygankov, Unai, Roca, Echeverri.

Match facts and head-to-head

Rayo Vallecano have won four of their last five matches in all competitions.

Girona are currently on a three-game losing streak in La Liga.

Rayo won the reverse fixture 3-1 earlier this season, while the overall head-to-head record is perfectly balanced with 12 wins each from 31 meetings.

Rayo have won the second half in five of their last seven league games at Vallecas.

Girona have scored fewer than two goals in 13 of their last 17 La Liga fixtures.

Míchel’s side have received fewer than four yellow cards in six of their previous seven matches.

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