Verdict: Draw
Best Odds: 12/5
Bookmaker: Luckster
Two camps who have their sights set on punching a top-half finish this month, Valencia will welcome Rayo Vallecano to the Mestalla on Thursday night.
Valencia
Starting with the hosts, making an immediate return to winning ways last time out as they secured a gritty 1-0 victory away at Athletic Bilbao, Valencia will be dreaming of a repeat performance here. Sat within touching distance of finding a route into the top-half of the La Liga standings, Carlos Corberan’s side will be looking to sign off proceedings with some much-welcomed stability. Despite drawing a line under April with a 2-1 win at home against Girona, Los Ches have recorded consecutive victories on just a single occasion since back in January. Likewise, Valencia are also searching for a real clinical edge in the final third. Last seen at the Mestalla getting hit with a 2-0 loss at the hands of Atletico Madrid, Thursday’s hosts have failed to register more than a single strike in all of their previous five consecutive La Liga showdowns.
Valencia Team News
Both dealing with respective knee injuries, Valencia will once again be without the duo of Lucas Beltran and former Granada defender Dimitri Foulquier on Thursday night. Likewise, Portuguese international Thierry Rendall remains on the sidelines with a muscle issue.
Coming off the bench and bagging a last-gasp winner against Athletic Bilbao last weekend and now registering three goals in his previous four appearances, Nigerian ace Umar Sadiq should be handed a full recall. Making a January switch from West Ham, Guido Rodriguez will start in the middle of the park.
Rayo Vallecano
As for the visitors, making major history last week as they stormed their way to the final of this season’s Europa Conference League, Rayo Vallecano find the mood in their camp at a famous high. Eventually securing an impressive 2-0 aggregate win against French outfit Strasbourg, Inigo Perez’s side have rightfully received a string of plaudits and they have shattered a string of records. Getting May underway with an eye-catching 2-0 victory away at local rivals Getafe, the Little Thunderbolts will be looking to extend on their iconic recent charge. In fact, despite last being seen over the weekend settling for a 1-1 stalemate at home against Girona, Vallecano are unbeaten in each of their previous six consecutive appearances across all competitions (four wins, two draws).
Rayo Vallecano Team News
Both featuring over the past month, Italian defender Luis Felipe remains on the sidelines with a muscle injury. Handed a lengthy seven-match suspension following his fiery red card against Real Sociedad on April 26th, Isi Palazon won’t feature in La Liga action again this season.
Coming off the bench and finding the net against Girona last week and now notching four goals in his previous five appearances across all competitions, attacking talisman and leading marksman Alemao should be handed a full recall.
Valencia vs Rayo Vallecano Key Factors to Consider
- When Valencia and Rayo Vallecano met for their reverse La Liga battle on December 1st, Thursday’s opponents played out a 1-1 stalemate.
- Along with booking their spot in the final of this season’s Europa Conference League last week, Rayo Vallecano are unbeaten in their previous six appearances across all fronts (four wins, two draws).
- Los Ches have failed to notch more than a single strike in all of their last five straight outings.
- Brazilian striker Alemao has now found the net in four of his previous five appearances across all competitions.
- Each of the last six straight showdowns between Valencia and Rayo Vallecano have finished with under 2.5 goals.
Conclusion
While Rayo Vallecano might have their complete focus fixed on this month’s iconic Europa Conference League final, Thursday’s guests will know the importance of keeping their momentum at a red-hot high. However, playing out a 1-1 stalemate when they welcomed Valencia to the capital for their reverse La Liga showdown back in December, the midweek opponents do have a habit of producing cagey affairs when they meet. With three of their last four battles finishing in a draw, we are expecting a similar outcome from the Mestalla.
Verdict: Draw
Best Odds: 12/5
Bookmaker: Luckster
- Soccer News Like
- Be the first of your friends!
