Girona vs Rayo Vallecano
Copa del Rey
Fourth Round
Wednesday
17th January 2024
Municipal de Montilivi
The most comprehensive preview, detailed analysis and reliable predictions of the Copa del Rey Fourth Round fixture between Girona and Rayo Vallecano.
Girona vs Rayo Vallecano: Preview
Girona form analysis
Gironistes come into the new year still undefeated in their last five league matches, punching above their weight in an impressive debut top flight campaign. Their most recent result was a tight 0-0 stalemate away at fellow promoted side Almeria. Coming closest to victory with Aleix Garcia hitting the woodwork late on. Prior to that though, Girona produced the shock result of New Year’s Day by beating Champions League chasing Atletico Madrid 4-3 in a thriller. Racing into a 3-1 first half lead before a hat trick from Alvaro Morata made for a tense finish. Ivan Martin netted an injury time winner.
That display built on hard fought festive period draws with Champions League contenders Real Betis and at bitter rivals Barcelona over the past month. On the whole, Girona have shown both the attacking flair and defensive nous to trouble any opponent. Built on the excellent form of striker Viktor Dovbyk. If the manager can keep his overachieving squad fit and firing, a top half finish seems a real possibility.
Rayo Vallecano form analysis
Rayo Vallecano come into the new year with just one win from their last five league matches after their early season momentum stalled. Their most recent result was an excellent 2-0 away victory at stuttering Getafe either side of halftime courtesy of a Sergio Camello brace. However, prior to that Rayo failed to score in three straight narrow defeats over the festive period – 1-0 at home to Champions League chasing Valencia. The same scoreline away to high-flying Osasuna where they conceded an injury time Raul Garcia winner. In an uninspired goalless home draw with Celta Vigo.
Their worst display though came in a humbling 4-0 thrashing away to rejuvenated Athletic Bilbao at the start of December as Rayo simply had no answers to the Basque side’s relentless pressure and lethal transitions. On the whole, the manager will be concerned by his side’s lack of creativity in attack recently and vulnerable defending. Shipping seven goals across just two defeats. Addressing these issues and rekindling their early season verve is essential if European qualification is to remain a possibility this term.
