Rayo Vallecano will be aiming to maintain their status in the top half of La Liga with a positive result against Real Valladolid on Thursday evening.
Valladolid, meanwhile, are still not completely safe from relegation following their promotion from the second tier last season.
Match preview
© Reuters
Vallecano, meanwhile, have long since secured their third consecutive campaign in the Spanish top flight for only the fourth period in their entire history, having been relegated in rock-bottom position after their previous promotion in 2018.
Andoni Iraola, who earned seven caps for the Spanish national team during his playing career, has been in charge of the club since the summer of 2020, guiding them to promotion via the playoffs before securing an impressive 12th-placed finish in their first season back at the elite level.
During their wilderness years languishing in the third tier as recently as 2004 right through to 2008, Los Franjirrojos' fanbase could only have dreamed of witnessing names such as Radamel Falcao lining up for them on a weekly basis, but under Iraola's tutelage they appear to be establishing themselves as mid-table La Liga staples.
The 40-year-old will be determined to see his side's solid season continue through the closing weeks of the campaign, though, with the impressive form of Sevilla one place beneath them providing a credible challenge to their top-half status.
© Reuters
Valladolid travel to the capital only eight points behind their forthcoming opponents in the table, but they remain on the fringes of an intense relegation battle nonetheless after losing their last two matches.
With Espanyol and Getafe both only four points behind them with six matches remaining, Paulo Pezzolano's side cannot afford to coast between now and the end of the season, as they are likely to require two victories to be near-certain of their safety.
The 40-year-old was drafted in to replace Pacheta last month, making an excellent initial impact by taking seven points from his opening three matches, before losing out to Valencia and Atletico Madrid in recent weeks.
Pezzolano will certainly have his eyes set on his side's final-day showdown at home against relegation rivals Getafe, but he will be imploring his players to ensure that their destiny is secured in La Liga for another campaign before that match.
Team News
© Reuters
Vallecano are set to remain without their talismanic forward Falcao due to a muscle injury, while former Newcastle United defender Florian Lejeune is suspended after being sent off during the first half of his side's embarrassing 4-0 defeat to rock-bottom Elche on Saturday.
Iraola is likely to make several changes given the nature of that loss, with Raul de Tomas, Oscar Trejo and Abdul Mumin all hoping to receive starting berths.
Valladolid, meanwhile, will travel without Anuar due to a ligament injury, while Darwin Machis and Selim Amallah are both doubts due to minor strains.
Despite being beaten 5-2 by Atletico on Sunday, Pezzolano may choose to remain philosophical about being ousted by one of the division's most in-form and resourceful outfits, and make very few alterations to his starting XI as a result.
Rayo Vallecano possible starting lineup:
Dimitrievski; Balliu, Mumin, Catena, F Garcia; Trejo, Comesana; Valentin, Tomas, A Garcia; Camello
Real Valladolid possible starting lineup:
Masip; Fernandez, Hongla, Yamiq; L Perez, Monchu, K Perez, Aguada, Fresneda; Plata, Larin
We say: Rayo Vallecano 2-2 Real Valladolid
Vallecano have little to play for between now and the rest of the season, but they will be determined to bounce back from their humiliation at the hands of La Liga's worst performing team by a distance last time out.
As such, we can envisage an entertaining affair playing out between these two sides, with the visitors likely to accept avoiding defeat as they attempt to put more distance between themselves and the relegation zone.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Brett Curtis
