Villarreal-Rayo Vallecano is a match in the nineteenth day of La Liga and is played on Monday at 21:00: odds, predictions, TV and streaming
In La Liga, the fight for two of the top four spots is becoming increasingly exciting and uncertain, as the others seem to be already assigned to the usual Barcelona and Real Madrid, the two teams currently fighting for the title. Also on the podium is Real Sociedad, well behind Atletico Madrid and Villarreal, who are destined to contend for fourth place. A duel that could last until the end of the season.
Diego Simeone’s Colchoneros overcame a difficult moment in the last day of the season to make up for their defeat in the Copa del Rey derby by taking three golden points in Pamplona against Osasuna, putting them three points clear of Quique Setien’s side, who were meanwhile joined by Betis, who won at Getafe. Villarreal’s post-match fixture is therefore called upon to replicate the successes of their closest rivals, but they must watch out for one of the big surprises of this tournament: Rayo Vallecano. The Madrid outfit are ninth in the table and are among the group of teams who can still aspire to a place in Europe.
Villarreal unbeaten in the league since November
Two defeats for the Vallecas club in the last three days, but both came against superior opponents such as Betis and Real Sociedad. Rayo, however, had emerged victorious from their trip to Valladolid: Andoni Iraola’s men only needed a goal from Palazon (0-1) to get the better of the Pucelanos.
A hard-fought, narrow victory for the Yellow Submarine, who came out on top in a complicated match against Getafe, who were beaten at the last minute by a penalty kick taken by Dani Parejo. Villarreal who, excluding the comeback defeat suffered in the Copa del Rey against Real Madrid, have not lost in the league since last November.
The prediction
Villarreal will not waste the great opportunity to join Atletico Madrid in fourth position and is favourite against Rayo Vallecano, with whom at the Estadio de la Ceramica they have always won in their last seven matches. The Madrileños have not won here since 2000. However, the visitors, who were only held scoreless on the road in Barcelona against Xavi’s Blaugrana, are also likely to score at least one goal. As for possible scorers, watch out for Gerard Moreno, already in goal on three occasions since returning to the game after the World Cup.
Villarreal v Rayo Vallecano matchday squad
- VILLARREAL (4-3-3): Reina; Alberto Moreno, Pau Torres, Albiol, Foyth; Dani Parejo, Baena, Capoue; Pino, Chukwueze, Gerard Moreno.
- RAYO VALLECANO (4-3-3): Dimitrievski; García, Catena, Lejeune, Balliu; López, Comesaña, Trejo; Gacía, Isi, Camello.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 2-1
