La Liga preview and odds: Rayo Vallecano vs Villarreal

Published on: 17/04/2016

La Liga preview and odds: Rayo Vallecano vs Villarreal

April 17, 2016 18:15pm - Estadio del Rayo Vallecano

La Liga

Rayo Vallecano can move five points clear of the drop zone with a win over Europa League semi-finalists Villarreal on Sunday.

Rayo keen to stay clear of trouble

Rayo Vallecano have lost just one of their last eight La Liga home games, having won three and drawn the other four. Their respectable run of form has lifted them out of the bottom three and they now sit in 16th place, two points clear of the drop zone and with a game in hand.

If Paco Jemez`s men can pull off a win over fourth-ranked Villarreal this weekend, they will be five points clear of trouble with just five games left to play. Whatever happens, they will definitely fall short of the 49-point tally they achieved last season.

In their last game, they were beaten 1-0 away from home by Athletic Club - prior to that, they cruised to a 2-0 win at home to relegation rivals Getafe.

Villarreal may rest players after Euro exploits

Having secured a place in this season`s Europa League semi-finals with a 4-2 victory in Prague, and with fourth place in the league almost wrapped up, Villarreal boss Marcelino may decide to rest a few key players for this trip to the capital.

The Yellow Submarine have lost just two of their last 19 games in the league and have maintained their place in the top four throughout the season. Away from home, they have lost just one of their last eight, having won three and drawn the other four. However, earlier in the season, they did lose away to the struggling pair of Getafe and Levante.

Team news

Yoel and Raul Buena are both suspended for the home side, while Patrick Ebert, Jozabed, David Cobeno, Razvan Rat and Tono Rodriguez all have injury concerns.

Meanwhile, the visitors will be without the suspended pair of Antonio Rukavina and Bruno, while Jaume Costa, Samu Castillejo, Tomas Pina and Mateo Musacchio are all injured.

Recent form (League)

Rayo Vallecano: LWDDL

Villarreal: WWDLL

Betting odds and tips

Villarreal may be slightly vulnerable after their Europa adventures and may even rest a few players. Rayo have been in decent form and could snatch their 11th draw of the season.

You can back the Draw at 13/5 with Bet365.

By Neil Morris

Published on: 17/04/2016

Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (17/04/2016 13:12:34) but are subject to change.