Two teams in disappointing form will lock horns in Spain's top flight on Sunday afternoon, with Alaves welcoming Rayo Vallecano to Mendizorrotza Stadium.
The home side are currently 13th in the La Liga table, 10 points clear of the relegation zone, while Rayo are 16th, seven points ahead of the bottom three with 11 games left.
Match preview
© Reuters
Alaves secured a return to Spain's top flight through last season's Segunda Division playoffs, so any spot over 18th would be considered a successful 2023-24 campaign for the club.
The Blue and Whites have performed above expectations this season, picking up 29 points from their 27 matches to sit in 13th position in the table, which has left them 10 points clear of the relegation zone.
Luis Garcia's side are without a victory in their last five league matches, though, and they will enter this game off the back of a 1-0 defeat to Osasuna on Monday night.
Alaves have been inconsistent at home this season, winning five, drawing three and losing five of their 13 matches to collect 18 points, and they will be welcoming a Rayo outfit with the sixth-best away record in La Liga during the 2023-24 campaign.
El Glorioso recorded a 1-0 victory over Rayo in the corresponding match between the two sides during the 2021-22 campaign, but they suffered a 2-0 loss to the capital outfit in the reverse fixture earlier this season.
© Reuters
Rayo, meanwhile, will enter this match off the back of a 1-1 draw with Cadiz on Saturday, with the result stretching their winless run in Spain's top flight to eight matches.
Los Franjirrojos have finished 12th and 11th in their last two La Liga campaigns, but their recent issues have seen them drop into 16th position in the table, seven points clear of the relegation zone.
Inigo Perez's side are not in any immediate danger, but a couple more poor results in quick succession would certainly leave them looking over their shoulder at a key stage of the campaign.
Rayo, as mentioned, have been relatively strong on the road this season, picking up 16 points from 14 matches, but they have struggled at home, only winning one of their 13 games.
The capital outfit are the second-lowest goalscorers in Spain's top flight this season with 23, while Alaves have only netted 25 times in 2023-24, which is the joint-fourth worst attacking record.
Team News
© Reuters
Alaves will again be missing Aleksandar Sedlar due to a long-term knee injury, while Ruben Duarte and Adrian Rodriguez remain doubts for the Basque outfit.
Abdel Abqar will also need to be assessed, having been forced off early against Osasuna last time out, so there could be a start in the middle of the defence for Nahuel Tenaglia.
Head coach Garcia is expected to again select a 4-3-3 formation, with Luis Rioja and Alex Sola operating in the wide positions, and Samu Omorodion continuing through the middle.
As for Rayo, Diego Mendez remains unavailable for selection due to a thigh problem, but Pep Chavarria is available after serving a suspension last time out.
Head coach Perez is expected to resist the temptation to shuffle his pack following the clash with Cadiz, with Raul de Tomas set to retain his spot through the middle.
However, Unai Lopez could be brought into the side in an attacking position, while Jorge de Frutos is also pushing to be involved from the first whistle this weekend.
Alaves possible starting lineup:
Sivera; Gorosabel, Tenaglia, Marin, Lopez; Guevara, Benavidez, Guridi; Sola, Omorodion, Rioja
Rayo Vallecano possible starting lineup:
Dimitrievski; Balliu, Aridane, Lejeune, Espino; Crespo, Valentin; Palazon, U Lopez, A Garcia; De Tomas
We say: Alaves 1-1 Rayo Vallecano
It is difficult to back either side with any real confidence at the moment, and we are expecting the points to be shared on Sunday. Alaves have drawn eight times in the league this season, while Rayo have shared the points on 11 occasions, and we are predicting 1-1 this weekend.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Matt Law
