Afternoon all! The first of our three back-to-back live La Liga commentaries comes from the Spanish capital as Rayo Vallecano welcome Malaga. It is not quite a must-win match for Rayo, but we are getting to the stage of the season where three points become even more important. The same can be said for Malaga, who are far from safe with 16 matches remaining.

In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, Malaga have won three of the last five matches, with Rayo also winning twice during that run of fixtures. As mentioned, Malaga were 3-1 winners in the corresponding match last season and also beat Rayo 5-0 at La Rosaleda earlier this season.

TEAMS:

RAYO: Ruben; Arbilla, Ze Castro, Saul, Nacho; Falque, Trashorras, Baena, Rochina; Bueno, Larrivey

MALAGA: Willy; Angeleri, Sanchez, Flavio, Antunes; Morales, Camacho; Samuel, Perez, Amrabat; Juanmi

So there we have it. On-loan Tottenham Hotspur attacker Iago Falque comes into the Rayo XI this evening, while January loan signing from Blackburn Rovers Ruben Rochina is also selected. Alberto Bueno and Joaquin Larrivey complete the forward line. Malaga, meanwhile, recall Samuel and Pablo Perez. There is also a start for on-loan Galatasaray attacker Nordin Amrabat.

It has been a difficult campaign for Rayo, with a total of 17 points from their 22 matches leaving them in 19th position in the table. The capital outfit have won just five times in La Liga this season, losing 15 times in the process. As it stands, they are five points from 17th position, which is currently occupied by Almeria.

Rayo have struggled on their own patch this season and indeed have the worst home record in the division. Paco Jemez has led his side to just two wins from 10 matches in this stadium, losing the other eight. That said, their away record in relation to the teams around them is fairly strong with three wins and two draws from their 12 matches.

Goals have been a problem for Rayo this season with just 21 in their 22 matches, while Malaga have found the back of the net on 22 occasions. Down the other end, it has been a horror show for Rayo. The capital outfit have conceded 51 times, which is the worst record in the league. Malaga, meanwhile, have fared much better defensively with just 29 conceded.

Malaga enter the match off the back of a 3-2 win over Sevilla last weekend, but they remain just four points outside of the bottom three in 13th position. Remarkably, just six points separates 18th-place Real Valladolid from 11th position. There is no question that Malaga are one of eight or nine teams in the battle at the bottom.

Malaga have been fairly solid on their own patch this season with five wins from their 11 matches, but it has been a different story on the road. They have the third worst away record in the division having won just one of their 11 matches, taking eight points in the process. That statistic will hand Rayo confidence ahead of this match.

Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first period. The pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged. Can Rayo pull Malaga into the fight at the bottom of the table? The home side get the first 45 minutes underway.

Bright start from the home side, who have a chance inside two minutes as Falque meets a through ball from Bueno, but Caballero is on hand to make the save. Rayo have taken control of the possession in the early exchanges this evening with Rochina and Bueno both threatening in wide positions. Not too much from Malaga thus far.

It must be said that there is a sensational atmosphere inside the stadium, which is not much of a surprise. That has been stoked as Sanchez brings Bueno to the ground on the edge of the box, with the Malaga defender entering the book. Opportunity for Trashorras to threaten from distance.

Trashorras does indeed strike one from the edge of the box, but his effort curls high and wide of the crossbar. Malaga are down the other end with Samuel moments later, but the Spaniard's low cross towards Juanmi is too close to Ruben, who collects before releasing Saul.

SAVE! It's brilliant technique from Morales as the Malaga attacker strikes one on the volley, but Ruben is down to make a fine save at the vital moment. The resulting corner also causes problems in the Rayo box, but Nacho Martinez manages to clear. Moments later, Larrivey is just ruled offside down the other end.

Just a few signs that Malaga are starting to warm to their task as they enjoy possession in the Rayo half. A snappy move in the middle of the park presents Juanmi with a shooting chance, but his effort is wide of the post. Good intensity to the opening 11 minutes of this La Liga clash in the Spanish capital.

The supporters in this stadium are just sensational. Even if Rayo get relegated this season, the fans will stick with them that is for certain. Malaga have been in charge of the last five minutes or so as Angeleri delivers two dangerous crosses into the Rayo box, but Arbilla and Nacho take it in turns to clear the danger.

Half-chance for the home side as Larrivey finds some space just outside the box, but his effort from a wide position is high and wide of the target. Not too much in terms of clear chances in the opening 15 minutes, with a Morales strike from distance just about the closest either side has come thus far.

CHANCE! Wonderful opportunity for Larrivey as the ball falls for the Rayo forward inside the Malaga box, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar. The home side have a free kick in a dangerous position moments later as Antunes fells Rochina, but Malaga clear with ease.

Rayo continue to force the issue with a series of crosses into the Malaga box, but the offside flag has quelled the last couple of attacks. Still goalless in the Spanish capital, but both sides are committing numbers in the final third. Entertaining fixture in the Spanish capital between two struggling teams.

Just a reminder that later this evening we have live text coverage of Real Madrid against Villarreal and Almeria against Atletico Madrid - be sure to remain with us for those. Back to this match, Rayo continue to press in the final third, but Malaga remain compact in defensive areas.

CHANCE! A wicked cross from Ze Castro causes all sorts of problems inside the Malaga box, but Bueno and then Larrivey could not make contact at the vital moment. The fans remain in fine voice as the match continues to flow from end-to-end. It is like a basketball game at the moment.

Half-chance for Malaga this time as Perez cuts inside before whipping one towards the far post, but Ruben makes the save. Both continue to commit players in the final third, but it remains goalless. That said, the opening 26 minutes have just flown past.

Rayo strike first on their own patch as Falque collects possession on the right before driving into the Malaga box and rolling his effort into the bottom corner. Wonderful work from the on-loan Tottenham attacker. First blood to the hosts.

You just got the feeling that the first goal was on its way. Can Malaga respond? Rayo have the worst defence in La Liga this season and therefore they will be confident of turning this one around. That said, it is one-way traffic at the moment as the home side continue to attack.

Wow! Rayo have their second one minute later as Arbilla's effort from the edge of the box is deflected into the bottom corner. Malaga are stunned in the Spanish capital.

Well, I was not expecting that. There is a deafening noise inside the stadium at the moment as Rayo continue to push players into the final third. The home side only play one way that is for certain. Little under 15 minutes of the first period remaining.

There is no real in between with Rayo. You get 100% or nothing. They aren't a team to sit back and attempt to defend, rather one that goes looking for goals. Another half-chance arrives as on-loan Atletico midfielder Saul meets a corner from Trashorras, but his header is just high of the crossbar. Can the home side score a third before the interval?

Not too much from Malaga in the last few moments with their final pass too often going astray. You just get the feeling that the away side need to score the next goal if they are to take something from this match. Rayo are not really a team for keeping clean sheets and therefore I would expect chances to arrive as the evening develops.

Better from Malaga in the last minute or two as Morales twice delivers dangerous balls into the Rayo box, but Castro and Ruben take it in turns to clear the danger. The noise remains deafening inside the stadium as Rayo launch another counter. The referee must be praised for allowing this match to flow in the opening 38 minutes or so.

Rayo have been forced to defend in the last few moments, but it has not been too much of an issue with Malaga unable to find that elusive pass in the final third. It would not be a surprise to see changes made at the interval. The away side certainly have attacking options in reserve.

Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last few moments with both teams guilty of some sloppy passing in the opposing half. Samuel delivers a low cross into the Rayo box moments later, but Baena is on hand to clear under pressure from Juanmi.

Oh my word. Rayo have a penalty and Malaga are down to 10 men as Sanchez is sent from the field for pulling Larrivey to the ground inside the box. Can the home side make it 3-0?

Indeed they can. Larrivey steps up before sending his effort into the bottom corner. Game over?! Malaga have a lot of regrouping to do at the interval that is for certain.

Well, Rayo have not had too many happy memories on their own patch this season, but that could change this evening. The home side lead Malaga 3-0 at the interval following goals from Falque, Arbilla and Larrivey, who fired in a penalty on the stroke of the interval. What a first period for the capital outfit.

STATISTICS: Rayo have just about shaded the possession with 51%, while they have had seven attempts to Malaga's five. In truth, the statistics are fairly similar, but Rayo lead 3-0. It has also been a feisty half in terms of challenges, with four yellows and one red yard.

BENCH WATCH: The home side have a number of attacking options on their bench in the shape of Lass Bangoura, Gonzalez and Longo. Meanwhile, Malaga have the likes of Hamdaoui, Portillo and Iakovenko in reserve. It would not be a surprise to see changes at the interval.

Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Is it game over already? Malaga need a goal and fast if they are to turn this around. Right, the away side get the second 45 minutes underway in Madrid.

Two changes for Malaga at the interval with Sergi Darder and Casado entering the field in place of Perez and Morales. In truth, that is not much of a surprise. Early opportunity for Malaga in the second period as Amrabat advances into the Rayo box, but Ruben is on hand to make a smart save at his near post.

Not too much from Rayo in the early stages of the second period with Malaga forcing the issue in the final third. I think it would be fair to say that one more goal for Rayo would put this game to bed. As it stands, an early strike for Malaga and it would be game on. Just a reminder that Rayo have comfortably the worst defensive record in La Liga this season.

The referee has been more involved than he would have liked in the last few moments due to a number of late challenges from both sides. Malaga continue to commit numbers in the final third, but too often the final pass has been short. It remains 3-0 Rayo with 53 minutes on the clock.

Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last few moments with Rayo prepared to keep hold of the possession in their own half. The crowd has quietened, which is not helping proceedings on the pitch. One goal for Malaga would certainly spice things up, but they have struggled in the final third thus far.

Malaga have the opportunity to threaten from a free kick as Nacho fells Samuel on the edge of the box. The resulting set piece is taken by Antunes, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar.

Double change for Rayo as Lass and Adrian enter the field in place of Trashorras and Rochina. Little over 30 minutes of football remaining in this La Liga clash. In truth, the second period has been a slight non-event thus far.

Half-chance for the home side as Lass drives down the right before delivering a low cross into the box, but Caballero is on hand to collect at the vital moment. Lass is involved once more moments later, but this time his effort is high and wide of the crossbar.

Three points for Rayo this evening would not move them out of the relegation zone, but it would move them to within two points of safety. The battle at the top of the division remains fascinating, but the same can be said at the other end. There is no question that Malaga are one of the teams in trouble this season.

Rayo have their fourth and Falque has his second as the on-loan Tottenham attacker drives into the box before placing his effort into the bottom corner. Game, set and match.

Falque recently admitted his frustration at his lack of football in recent weeks. Well, I think he has made his point in this particular match. It appears that Malaga are preparing to make their third and final change with little under 25 minutes remaining.

Earlier this afternoon, Valencia beat Real Betis 5-0. Can Rayo match that score this evening? Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of moments with Malaga keeping hold of the ball in their own half. Little over 20 minutes remaining.

Falque goes in search of his hat-trick as the Rayo forward strikes one from just outside the box, but Antunes is on hand to make the block. Malaga break down the other end with Juanmi moments later, but the Spaniard is ruled offside. Just a reminder that Real Madrid host Villarreal in our next live match - be sure to remain with us for that.

Again it is bright work from Lass as the Rayo forward drives down the right before delivering towards Larrivey, but Antunes is on hand to clear at the vital moment. You just get the feeling that there are a couple more goals in this for Rayo if they continue to force the issue.

CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Larrivey to score his second as the Argentine meets a cross from Lass, but his header is just wide of the post. Malaga just cannot keep the ball at the moment as the pressure continues.

Debut goal for Iakovenko as the Malaga forward converts a low cross from Angeleri. Surely it is too late?

Rayo make their third and final change as Larrivey, who has been brilliant, is replaced by Longo. Little over 15 minutes of the second period remaining on this mild evening in the Spanish capital.

Half-chance for the away side as Iakovenko meets a cross from Flavio, but his effort is turned behind for a corner. Flavio has an opportunity from distance moments later, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar. Much better from the away side, but it is a case of too little too late.

Falque has a half-chance for the home side as the two-goal forward drives into the Malaga box, but his effort is just wide of the post. End-to-end football in the last couple of moments as both sides continue to force the issue. It has been a wonderful contest in Madrid.

Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of moments with both sides guilty of losing possession too easily in the final third. Just a reminder that following this match we have action from the Bernabeu as Real Madrid welcome Villarreal. Gareth Bale returns for Los Blancos following a period on the sidelines.

The referee has been more involved than he would have liked in the last couple of minutes due to a number of late challenges. It has been a scrappy contest since Malaga cut the deficit to 4-1. Possession football from Rayo in their own half with 84 minutes on the clock.

Opportunity for Malaga to threaten from a free kick as Arbilla brings Iakovenko to the ground inside the box. The Ukraine forward takes the set piece, but Ze Castro is on hand to clear the danger. Good pressure from Malaga as Amrabat fires just wide moments later.

Again Lass's devastating pace causes a problem for Malaga as the forward drives down the right before finding Longo, but Flavio is across to clear at the vital moment. End-to-end football in the last few moments as both sides force the issue.

The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional two minutes and we are indeed into the second of those. Comfortable for the home side as they continue to keep possession in their own half.

So there we have it. Rayo pick up a valuable three points with a 4-1 win over Malaga. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to remain with us for Real Madrid against Villarreal. Until then!