Real Valladolid will be bidding to bounce back from three straight La Liga defeats when they welcome Rayo Vallecano to Estadio Municipal Jose Zorrilla on Saturday afternoon.
The home side are currently 15th in the table, boasting 17 points from their opening 16 matches of the season, while Rayo are ninth, having collected 23 points from their first 16 games of 2022-23.
Match preview
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Real Valladolid's last victory in Spain's top flight came at the start of November, when they overcame Elche. Since then, Pacheta's side have lost three straight La Liga games to Athletic Bilbao, Real Madrid and Mallorca, which has seen them drop into 15th position in the table.
The White and Violets are only two points clear of 18th-placed Cadiz in the table, while they have been eliminated from the Copa del Rey courtesy of a 1-0 loss to Alaves at the start of the month.
Real Valladolid now only have the league to think about for the remainder of the season, so they have just three more matches this month, taking on Atletico Madrid and Valencia after this one.
Pacheta's side have struggled to find the back of the net in the league this season, only scoring 13 times, which is a concern, and it might cost them in the coming months.
Real Valladolid have actually won four of their last six La Liga matches against Rayo, including a 2-1 success when the two sides last met in the top flight in May 2019.
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Rayo, meanwhile, will enter the contest off the back of a 2-1 home defeat to Real Betis in the league last weekend, which left them in ninth position in the table.
The capital outfit have won six, drawn five and lost five of their 16 league games this term to collect 23 points, which has left them just four points behind fifth-placed Atletico Madrid.
Rayo had actually brought a seven-game La Liga unbeaten run into the contest with Real Betis, but Luis Henrique's 40th-minute effort proved to be the difference between the two sides.
Andoni Iraola's team were also knocked out by Sporting Gijon in the Copa del Rey on January 3, so like Real Valladolid, they only have league football to focus on for the rest of the season.
Los Franjirrojos secured a return to La Liga through the Segunda Division playoffs in 2020-21, and they finished 12th in Spain's top flight last term, which represented their highest spot since 2014-15.
Rayo, who have collected nine points from eight away league games this term, will face Real Sociedad and Villarreal in their two matches after this one before starting February at home to Almeria.
Team News
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Real Valladolid will again be missing Anuar Tuhami and Sergio Escudero on Saturday through injury, while Sergio Leon will be absent due to a suspension.
There could be a change in the final third of the field, with Shon Weissman potentially coming in for Sergi Guardiola, but Oscar Plano should keep his spot.
There is also expected to be another start for Ivan Fresneda despite the speculation surrounding the youngster, with Newcastle United said to be keen on his signature.
As for Rayo, Ruben de Tomas remains out with a tendon injury, but the visitors are otherwise in strong shape heading into this weekend's contest.
Due to the manner of the performance against Real Betis, which was impressive for long spells, there is every chance that Iraola could name an unchanged side for this match.
Indeed, Sergio Camello was on the scoresheet last time out and should continue in the final third of the field, with Alvaro Garcia and Isi Palazon providing the support from the wide areas.
Real Valladolid possible starting lineup:
Masip; Fresneda, El Yamiq, Fernandez, Rosa; Aguado, Mesa, Monchu; Plata, Weissman, Plano
Rayo Vallecano possible starting lineup:
Dimitrievski; Balliu, Lejeune, Catena, F Garcia; Lopez, Valentin; Palazon, Trejo, A Garcia; Camello
We say: Real Valladolid 1-1 Rayo Vallecano
Real Valladolid have won four times in front of their own fans in the league this season, but they are difficult to back at the moment due to their recent form. Rayo are enjoying an impressive campaign, meanwhile, and we believe that the points will be shared on Saturday afternoon.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Matt Law
