Evening all! Matchday 17 of La Liga is upon us with all 20 teams in action over the next three days before football in Spain breaks for the winter. The break over the Christmas period has been controversial in recent seasons, with its effectiveness supposedly aiding Spain in recent international tournaments. There will certainly be a few players enjoying a glass or two over the festive period.

Just a reminder that Rayo picked up a 1-0 win over a disappointing Valencia outfit last week, a result that they were in desperate need of having lost to Real Zaragoza one week previous. It is difficult to predict what Rayo team will turn up as they continue their branding as one of the most inconsistent teams to ever play in Spain’s top flight.

Upwardly mobile Levante, meanwhile, have scored five goals and conceded none in their last two matches, and sit in sixth spot in the table. They haven’t played particularly well at times this season, but have become known as a team who knows how to win football matches, especially on the road.

We are still awaiting the confirmed team news for the match. Meanwhile, let's take a look at how both sides have fared thus far. Rayo began their season in impressive fashion with back-to-back wins against Granada and Real Betis before drawing 0-0 with Sevilla. They then managed just one win in their next seven in all competitions, but have fared better in recent weeks with wins over Malaga, Celta Vigo and Real Mallorca. If they are on top form this evening then Levante will be in for some match.

Teams:

Rayo: Andrade; Tito, Nacho, Galvez, Amat; Trashorras, Fuego, Lass, Dominguez; Piti, Leo

Levante: Munua; Navarro, Garcia, Ballesteros, Lopez; Barkero, Iborra, Michel, Ruben; Diop, Martins

Levante, meanwhile, started their season with a draw against Atletico Madrid, but were defeated by Real Valladolid one week later. They recovered with just one defeat in their next five and also embarked on a four-match winning period in October. A run of four matches without a victory in all competitions then followed, but they have lost just one of their last six matches with impressive wins over Real Mallorca and Real Zaragoza. Meanwhile, in Obafemi Martins they have one of the in-form strikers in La Liga this season.

For those keen on placing a wager this evening, it is hard to look past both teams scoring. Rayo have been good going forward but woeful in defence and many reputable bookmakers are offering odds such as 8/11 for both teams to hit the back of the net. I expect both teams to score this evening, although I am backing a 2-1 away win.

Quite remarkably, if matches ended at half time this season then Rayo would be bottom of the table. That said, Levante have not been quick starters this campaign and therefore you get the feeling that goals will come in the second period. This match also takes on added importance with both teams keen for three points ahead of the winter break.

Looking ahead to the rest of the La Liga action on Sports Mole. Following on from this match we have action from Real Sociedad versus Sevilla. Meanwhile, be sure to join us for back-to-back fixtures tomorrow and the final round of matches on Saturday. Believe me, you will not want to miss it.

Here we go then. Both sets of players have joined us on the pitch ahead of kickoff. Handshakes? Check. Flags exchanged? Check. Passionate home crowd in the Spanish capital? Check. We are just about two minutes from kickoff on this mild evening in Madrid.

Quick reminder on the main team news this evening. The home side once more pair Leo Bapistao and Piti in attack, with Alejandro Dominguez handed an advanced midfield role. Meanwhile, Obafemi Martins and Diop will be the advanced duo for Levante. The away side get the action underway.

Sloppy start from the away side as David Navarro hands possession straight to Ruben Andrade from kickoff. The Rayo goalkeeper immediately looks for Tito, but the defender is just caught on his heels and Levante manage to force a couple of advanced throws. However, Ruben eventually fires well wide of the post from long range.

Half-chance for Levante once more as Barkero looks for the run of Ruben in behind, but the striker just cannot collect with Andrade coming to claim the danger on the edge of his penalty area. First sign of the home side as an attacking threat comes moments later as Leo picks up possession outside the Levante box, but he is crowded out at the vital moment.

Neither side has really settled in the early stages of this match with both exchanging possession in the midfield. Levante have looked the more dangerous thus far, but their ball retention has been lacking in the opening six minutes. You just get the feeling that the first goal in this match - if there indeed is one - will be vital.

Another half-chance comes to the home side as Trashorras picks up possession before whipping a searching ball into the Levante box, but Ballesteros just beats Leo to the header and Munua comes to collect. Martins attempts to latch onto the resulting kick from his goalkeeper, but the home side gather possession once more.

Real end-to-end football at the moment with both sides attacking with numbers and pace. This time it's Levante who flood forward as El Zhar finds Martins in the box, but the striker just cannot sort out his feet and the danger is hooked clear by Casado. Not a great deal of quality on display thus far, just pure attacking spirit.

PEN SHOUT! Huge let off for Levante here as Juan Garcia bundles Rayo striker Leo over in the penalty area, but the referee shakes his head and play is resumed with a goal kick. Replays have shown that the defender did indeed barge into the Brazilian. The referee simply has to give that decision.

Again Rayo threaten as Nacho fires a sweeping ball towards Lass. The midfielder collects before whipping a dangerous ball into the penalty area, but Juan Garcia is on hand to clear the danger. The home side have just started to take control of the tempo after an all-action start thus far.

It would be no exaggeration to say that this is the quickest La Liga match I have seen this season. Both teams are not interested in defending and the action continues to flow from end to end. Levante come close as Michel wins a free kick outside the penalty area, but Barkero's effort is wide of the post.

The pressure continues from the away side as they force two corners in quick succession, but Iborra can only head wide of the post. A short back-pass from Galvez then comes close to allowing Martins in on the Rayo goal, but once more Andrade is quick off his line to thump the danger clear.

Best period of the match for Levante at the moment as they continue to pass and probe in the home side's half. However, we are still waiting for the first real chance of the match. But it must be said that the home supporters are creating an incredible atmosphere inside this ground this evening.

The first yellow card of the match is handed to Javi Fuego as the Rayo midfielder is penalised for fouling Ruben. In truth there did not seem to be an awful lot in it. There have been some strange decisions from the referee thus far. Still 0-0 as we approach the mid-point in the opening half between Rayo Vallecano and Levante.

It's good work from the home side once more as Dominguez combines with Nacho down the left before firing a cross into the penalty area, but the danger is cleared by Ballesteros. Martins attempts to make contact with the clearance, but once more Andrade is on hand to deal with the situation. Suddenly Rayo look the side most likely.

Slightly untidy period of the match in the last few moments with both teams giving away a host of fouls in and around the centre circle. Levante continue to look for the run of Martins, but the home side have defended well. Meanwhile, Leo has been the brightest spark for Rayo.

Again the home side threaten to take the lead as Lass collects possession in a wide area before whipping a low cross into the penalty area, but once more Ballesteros is on hand to clear the danger. How good has he been?! The danger continues as Piti whips a free kick into the box, but the delivery fails to beat the first man.

Another half-chance for Rayo as Leo flicks a header towards Piti inside the Levante penalty area, but the latter is penalised for a high boot on Ballesteros. This match has gone in sections, but Rayo are on top as the 30-minute mark is surpassed. Meanwhile, Martins joins Fuego in the book for a high foot.

Leo remains the brightest spark for the home side as he collects possession outside the penalty area before striking towards goal, but Munua collects with no major difficulty. Levante advance immediately down the other end as Bakero gains a corner from Galvez, but Amat heads clear of the danger zone.

Half-chance for Levante as Ruben is chopped down in a wide area by Tito. However, the resulting set piece from Barkero is fired wide of the target by Navarro. The defender might have done better having been presented with the chance some seven yards from goal. Little over 10 minutes of the half remaining and the score remains 0-0.

Nacho continues to impress as the Rayo defender drives down the left before attempting to catch Munua off his line, but his shot is just wide of the post. Rayo again have another long-range drive moments later courtesy of Piti, but once more it is wide of the target. It is such an open contest.

Another sighter for the home side as Piti strikes an effort from outside the penalty area, but it was never troubling the Levante goalkeeper. Rayo are certainly on top as we enter the latter stages of the half, but you just get the feeling that Levante will nick one on the counter.

Rayo continue to force free kicks in and around the Levante penalty area as Leo is chopped to the ground once more. However, Trashorras's ball into the penalty area is just too high for Piti and Munua restarts the play with a goal kick. Little over five minutes of the half remaining.

Levante continue to drop deeper and deeper as they absorb the pressure from the home side, who for all their good football cannot find a way through. They have been restricted to attempts from range thus far which will not worry Munua in the Levante goal as Leo strikes wide once more.

Little over one minute of the half remaining and the score still sits at 0-0. For all the exciting end-to-end football on display, there has not really been a clear chance for either side to open the scoring. But Rayo have taken control of proceedings in the last five or 10 minutes.

Half-chance for Levante in the latter stages as Diop strikes an effort from close range, but he strikes the side-netting. Meanwhile, the fourth official indicates that we will play an additional one minute of time at the end of the half. Just a reminder that victory for either of these two sides this evening would elevate them up the table.

So there we have it. A fascinating opening 45 minutes has been brought to a close with the two sides level at 0-0. Rayo have certainly looked the team more likely to open the scoring, but clear chances have been at a premium thus far.

Let's take a look at some statistics from the opening half of football. Rayo have dominated the possession with 70%, but both teams have managed just a singular shot on target. The home side also have a pass success rate of 83%, in contrast to Levante's 60% in the first period.

You just get the feeling that Rayo will be punished for not entering the break in the lead. We have seen it all before with Levante this season. They have not played well for large periods and suddenly they find themselves ahead in the match and on their way to another league victory. It is set to be a fascinating second period of action.

As it stands Levante would move into fifth spot in the table, just one point behind fourth-placed Malaga. Meanwhile, Rayo would move into eighth position. In truth, a point apiece would not be the worst result for either of these two teams this evening.

Here we go then. The home side kick us off in the second period. No changes for either side at the interval. However, I would expect that to change around the 60-minute mark in the match. Just a reminder that we have action from Real Sociedad versus Sevilla following this match right here on Sports Mole.

Decent start to the second period from the home side as they enjoy a period of possession in and around the Levante penalty area. They have carried on from where they left off in the opening half of action. But for all their attacking play, we are still awaiting the first real chance of the evening.

Finally Martins wins a free kick for Levante as he his chopped down by Jordi Amat. The striker has already been booked and there were signs that his frustrations were getting the better of him when he received no protection in the opening period. But he is such an important player for Levante that he simply cannot be replaced.

Slightly untidy period to the match at the moment with both sides giving away a host of fouls in the opposing half. You just get the feeling that Rayo need to make a change in their attacking third in order to just offer something different. Again it's good work from Lass as he whips a cross into the box, but once more Ballesteros clears the danger.

Both teams are just putting their substitutions through their paces at the moment as both managers consider whether to introduce fresh legs. Rayo remain the side that look the most likely as they continue to pass and probe in the Levante half. But the away side's defence has been sensational thus far.

End-to-end football at the moment as Leo weaves into the Levante box before losing possession, but Martins cannot gather at the other end with four defenders quickly in his presence. It would have to be said that Lass has been the brightest spark for the home side this evening with Leo struggling to get into the second period.

Little over 30 minutes of football to play this evening and still the score remains 0-0. You just get the feeling that a singular goal would secure all three points at this stage of the match. There is no question that Levante are happy to sit in and defend, while Rayo are desperate for the victory.

First real sign of Martins in the second period as the Levante striker twists and turns on the edge of the Rayo box before striking towards goal, but his effort was high and wide of the target. He has been forced to feed off scraps this evening thus far.

OH MY WORD! It was going to take something special to break the deadlock this evening and Nacho Martinez has produced just that. The defender picked up possession on the left before striking an effort into the top corner from some 35 yards. What a strike.

Rayo go in search of their second as Leo combines with Piti on the edge of the penalty area, but the latter just cannot sort out his feet and the danger is cleared. Levante have not been out of the traps this evening and now they need to show something different.

Levante respond by making their first change of the evening as Angel Rodriguez is introduced in place of Michel. Finally Martins has some support in the attacking third. But the away side simply cannot keep hold of possession with Rayo continuing to force the issue.

The home side come close to their second as Trashorras strikes an effort from outside the box, but it moves just wide of the post. Meanwhile, Lass appears to be in trouble here after a clash with Ballesteros. Now that is not a challenge that you would want to be caught in the middle of. It does not look good for the striker.

Replays have shown that the elbow did come up from the experienced Levante defender, whether he indeed meant to make contact with Lass is open to interpretation, but it does appear that the striker will be able to continue. Little over 20 minutes remaining and the score remains 1-0.

The match has just been interrupted in the past few moments with a host of fouls from each time. This time Diop is the player in trouble as he clashes heads with Fuego. The stretcher is brought onto the pitch for a second time in quick succession. However, he does return to the field after a brief period of treatment.

Having attempted to continue, Lass hits the deck once more and will have to be replaced here. He did take a nasty knock in the side of the head. He has signalled to the bench that his head is spinning. Meanwhile, Levante replace Diop with Nabil El Zhar for the remaining 18 minutes or so.

The home side introduce Andrija Delibasic in place of Lass, who has left the field of play. The striker is immediately involved as he collects a pass from Piti, but he cannot sort out his feet in time and the danger is cleared. El Zhar threatens down the other end, but he can only fire over the crossbar.

The pressure is relentless at the moment as Rayo continue to pass and probe around the edge of the Levante box. Dominguez and Leo both come close with attempts in quick succession, but the away side manage to clear the danger. Levante come close down the other end with Angel, but his effort is wide of the target.

Another half-chance for the away side as Barkero finds Angel in the box, but the striker cannot make proper contact with the ball and it is straight into the arms of the goalkeeper. You just get the feeling that there is another goal in this match with little over 10 minutes remaining.

Another change for the home side as Jordi Amat is replaced by Mikel Labaka. Another goal for Rayo would certainly wrap up the points, but the longer it remains 1-0, the more chance Levante have of taking something late on. It has happened before. Rayo currently have possession in the Levante half.

Wow. Nacho's goal is no longer the best of the evening. It's sensational from Piti as the striker hits a free kick from all of 40 yards into the top corner. It had been coming. Levante will have no complaints.

Rayo continue to keep hold of possession as we enter the final eight minutes of football. They have been simply brilliant this evening. They continue to flood forward with numbers and the supporters have raised their voices once more. Levante make their third change as Roger Marti replaces Iborra.

The frustration continues for the away side as Rayo continue to pepper the Levante goal with strikes from long range. However, Leo loses possession and almost allows Martins through on goal, but the striker just cannot collect and the danger is cleared once more. No sign of the tempo dropping here.

Half-chance for the away side this time as El Zhar finds Angel in the penalty area, but the striker's effort is blocked by Galvez. The resulting corner is taken by Barkero, but Martins can only head over the crossbar from close range. Little over four minutes of normal time remaining.

Meanwhile, Rayo make their third and final change of the evening as Piti is replaced by Franco Vasquez. The home side show no signs of dropping their tempo as they continue to commit players to each attack. You cannot help but admire the way they play the game.

Meanwhile, the fourth official indicates that we will play an additional four minutes at the end of the match. Bar a minor miracle in these last few moments, Rayo will be moving into seventh spot in the table. Quite incredible for a team tipped for relegation.

Rayo have possession of the ball with little over two minutes of football to play. It must be said that Piti has been impressive for the home side this evening. Vasquez comes close with an effort from inside the box, but he blazes it over the crossbar.

Again Rayo threaten as Leo strikes an effort from outside the box, but Munua is on hand to collect the danger. Little over 30 seconds of football to play in this one. It would be impossible to argue that Rayo have not deserved the three points this evening.

Rayo add gloss to the scoreline in the final few moments as Vasquez collects a rebound from the goalkeeper to finish from close range. What a performance from the home side.

So there we have it. Rayo score three times in the second period to pick up all three points against Levante. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and stay with us for Real Sociedad versus Sevilla. Until then!