Rayo Vallecano will host Cadiz with both teams in the middle of a poor run of form. Before this weekend’s exciting match, Rayo is in 14th place in La Liga. They are seven points ahead of their opponents. Cadiz is now in 18th place, three points from safety.
Preview (Rayo Vallecano vs. Cadiz)
Since being promoted back to La Liga in 2021, Rayo has ended in the 12th and 11th places in their two seasons there. They are attempting to make it three straight seasons in Spain’s top division for the first time since 2016. Los Franjirrojos have been having trouble winning lately. Their most recent La Liga triumph came against Getafe 2-0 at the beginning of January. After losing five of their past seven league games and drawing two, Rayo’s poor performance has seen them slip to 14th place, seven points above the relegation zone.
The capital team now has enough credit to keep them out of the bottom three. A loss on Saturday would undoubtedly make them second-guess themselves at a crucial juncture. Inigo Perez’s team held Real Madrid to a 1-1 draw in their most recent game at home. They will be coming off a 3-0 loss to Girona, who are now in second place, on Monday night. Rafael Benitez’s team took a 2-0 lead at Estadio Nuevo Mirandilla in the 58th minute of the match. It appeared as though Cadiz would lose to fellow struggling team Celta at home last weekend.
But Mauricio Pellegrino’s team was able to respond, with Juanmi cutting the deficit in half in the 66th minute, and Darwin Machis tying the score in the 10th minute of extra time at the end of the 90. This means that even though Cadiz has only won two of its 26 league games this season, they are still three points behind Celta in 17th place and have a chance to avoid the relegation zone. In their previous three La Liga seasons, they have placed 12th, 17th, and 14th.
Team News
Isi Palazon and Diego Mendez will not be available for selection for Rayo on Saturday. Pep Chavarria, meanwhile, is also not in the game due to suspension. The defender was sent off against Girona not long after taking the field. Paule Ciss and Oscar Trejo may be added to the starting lineup by head coach Perez. Raul de Tomas is likely to remain at center forward.
Regarding Cadiz, Fali, Fede San Emeterio, Luis Hernandez, and Roger Marti are not there, and Jeremias Ledesma is questionable because of a physical issue. After coming off the bench to equalize against Celta, Machis is probably going to get the start, and Sergi Guardiola might also come on in the latter third of the pitch. After serving his suspension, Lucas Pires is again available. The Brazilian is anticipated to enter the back four, although Jorge Mere ought to stay in the middle of the defense.
Rayo Vallecano 0-0 Cadiz
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