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Rayo Vallecano logo
La Liga | Gameweek 38
May 25, 2024 at 5.30pm UK
Estadio de Vallecas
Athletic Bilbao logo

Rayo Vallecano
0 - 1
Athletic Bilbao


Crespo (84')
FT(HT: 0-0)

Preview: Rayo Vallecano vs. Athletic Bilbao - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Saturday's La Liga clash between Rayo Vallecano and Athletic Bilbao, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Athletic Bilbao will attempt to claim a second straight victory when they travel to Estadio de Vallecas for Saturday's clash with Rayo Vallecano.

Los Leones are guaranteed to finish the campaign in fifth place, while the hosts will enter the final day of the season in 16th position.


Match preview

Rayo Vallecano's Alvaro Garcia celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates on January 31, 2024© Reuters

After finishing in 12th and 11th place under Andoni Iraola, Rayo have experienced a drop-off since the 41-year-old opted to swap Vallecas for the English South coast last summer.

A tumultuous campaign saw Francisco relieved of his duties in February, before Iraola's former assistant Inigo Perez took over the reins to take on the first managerial role of his coaching career.

Perez has won just three of his 13 league matches in charge (D5, L5), but crucially, he has collected enough points to take Rayo's overall tally to 37 and secure top-flight football for another season.

Los Franjirrojos will carry a nine-game winless away run into next season after they suffered a heavy 3-0 defeat in their final away match against Barcelona last weekend.

In contrast, Rayo are currently enjoying a promising spell of home form, having won three of their previous five matches at Vallecas.

However, Saturday's hosts have failed to win their last four home meetings with Athletic since they recorded a narrow 2-1 victory in September 2014.

Athletic Bilbao coach Ernesto Valverde on March 3, 2024© Reuters

Athletic's 2023-24 campaign peaked on April 6 when they prevailed in a penalty shootout against Mallorca to win the Copa del Rey for the first time in 40 years.

That memorable night in Seville has ensured that the season will be etched in club history despite the fact that they have experienced an inconsistent run of results in the aftermath of their cup success.

Athletic have won two, drawn three and lost two of their seven matches since lifting the Copa del Rey, ensuring that they have had to settle for a fifth-placed finish rather than Champions League qualification.

Although they fell short in their top-four bid, Ernesto Valverde can still be proud of the fact that he has guided the club back into Europe for the first time since he secured a seventh-placed finish in the final season of his second spell as Athletic boss in 2016-17.

They may have already clinched Europa League qualification, but Athletic will still be keen to end the campaign with consecutive victories after goals from Raul Garcia and Iker Muniain guided them to a 2-0 victory in their recent home clash with Sevilla.

Los Leones cruised to a 4-0 victory in December's home game against Rayo, which now offers the chance to complete a league double over Los Franjirrojos for the first time since 2015-16.

Rayo Vallecano La Liga form:

Athletic Bilbao La Liga form:


Team News

Athletic Bilbao's Oihan Sancet celebrates scoring against Mallorca on April 6, 2024© Reuters

Rayo midfielder Diego Mendez remains sidelined with an injury issue, while Abdul Mumin and Oscar Valentin are both suspended due to an accumulation of yellow cards.

With the pair set to serve one-match bans, Perez could present starting opportunities to Aridane Hernandez and Unai Lopez.

Club stalwart Oscar Trejo is expected to return to the Rayo lineup after he was forced to miss the defeat to Barcelona through suspension.

Athletic are unable to call upon forward Inaki Williams, who underwent surgery earlier this week to resolve a problem with his left foot.

Gorka Guruzeta is continuing to recover from an appendix operation, while Oihan Sancet is a doubt due to illness.

Muniain is struggling with conjunctivitis and is at risk of missing his final game with the club before he ends his 19-year stay as an Athletic player.

Spain's number one Unai Simon is set to return in goal after Julen Agirrezabala was given the opportunity to play in Athletic's final home match of the season.


Rayo Vallecano possible starting lineup:
Dimitrievski; Balliu, Lejeune, Hernandez, Espina; Lopez, Ciss; Palazon, Trejo, Garcia; Camello

Athletic Bilbao possible starting lineup:
Simon; De Marcos, Vivian, Alvarez, Berchiche; De Galarreta, Prados; Berenguer, Gomez, N Williams; Villalibre


SM words green background

We say: Rayo Vallecano 1-1 Athletic Bilbao

Athletic will enter Saturday's contest as the favourites, but they have found victories hard to come by in recent away games, having won just one of their previous four road trips.

As a result, we think that they will have to settle for a point against a Rayo side that has lost just one of their last seven home matches.



For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.




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Game History

How you voted: Rayo Vallecano vs Athletic Bilbao

Rayo Vallecano
28.6%
Draw
24.7%
Athletic Bilbao
46.8%
77
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Group A

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1 Germany Germany11003
2 Switzerland Switzerland11003
3 Hungary Hungary10010
4 Scotland flag Scotland10010

Group B

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1 Spain Spain11003
2 Italy Italy11003
3 Albania national flag Albania10010
4 Croatia Croatia10010

Group C

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1 Denmark Denmark00000
2 England flag England00000
3 Serbia Serbia00000
4 Slovenia Slovenia00000

Group D

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1 Austria Austria00000
2 France France00000
3 Netherlands Netherlands00000
4 Poland Poland00000

Group E

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1 Belgium Belgium00000
2 Romania Romania00000
3 Slovakia Slovakia00000
4 Ukraine Ukraine00000

Group F

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1 Czech Republic Czech Republic00000
2 Georgia Georgia00000
3 Portugal Portugal00000
4 Turkey Turkey00000


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