Preview: Valencia vs. Rayo Vallecano - prediction, team news, lineups

Valencia will be looking to close in on the European places with a victory when they welcome Rayo Vallecano to the Mestalla for their La Liga encounter on Saturday afternoon.

The hosts are unbeaten in each of their last four matches on home soil, while the visitors are hoping to avoid a fourth successive away defeat.

Match preview

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After claiming a dramatic point in a 3-3 draw against Atletico Madrid with two stoppage time strikes, Valencia followed that up with a goalless draw away to high-flying Real Sociedad, who lost top spot in La Liga as a result.

The hosts were reduced to 10 men when Aritz Elustondo lashed out at Daniel Wass in the 76th minute, however, Jose Bordalas's men were unable to find a winner, even with the extra man, and were forced to share the spoils for the sixth time this season.

That result sees Los Che remain just inside the top 10, but they are now five points behind Saturday's opponents Rayo Vallecano in sixth.

Valencia made a bright start to the campaign after claiming 10 points from their first 12 on offer, however since then, they have accumulated just eight points from a possible 30 available.

Los Che have only won one of their last five meetings against Rayo Vallecano, though they did win the most recent encounter on home soil, securing a 3-0 victory in November last year.

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Rayo Vallecano's surprisingly bright start to the campaign continued on Monday, with a 3-1 victory at home against Mallorca.

Goals from Sergio Guardiola, Alvaro Garcia and Oscar Trejo helped Los Franjirrojos secure their seventh league win of the season and keeps the newly-promoted outfit just three points behind the top four.

Rayo have collected 23 points from their first 14 La Liga matches this season, which is their joint-highest tally at this stage of a top-flight campaign, matching their efforts from 2000-01.

Andoni Iraola will be delighted with his side's impressive start, though their form away from home is something which needs addressing after losing each of their last three on the road.

Rayo did, however, claim a 2-0 in their last encounter against Valencia in April 2019, so that should provide them with confidence of securing another positive result this weekend.

Team News

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Valencia trio Maxi Gomez, Gabriel Paulista and Thierry Correia are all doubtful with muscle injuries.

The hosts can welcome back Hugo Guillamon from suspension and the 21-year-old is expected to start in centre-midfield alongside Wass, with Uros Racic dropping to the bench.

Top scorers Carlos Soler and Hugo Duro – who have netted four goals each this term – are set to continue on the flanks, while forward Goncalo Guedes will be hoping to end a five-game drought without a goal.

As for Rayo Vallecano, Martin Merquelanz continues to recover from a knee injury, while Santiago Comesana and Randy Nteka are both doubtful with knocks.

After recovering from a groin problem, Radamel Falcao returned to the bench but was an unused substitute last weekend. The 35-year-old will now be hoping he can force his way into the first XI ahead of Guardiola.

Former Manchester United winger Bebe will also be pushing to start, though he is expected to remain on the bench, with Isi Palazon and Alvaro Garcia set to operate again on the flanks.

Valencia possible starting lineup:

Cillessen; Foulquier, Diakhaby, Alderete, Gaya; Soler, Wass, Guillamon, Duro; Guedes, Gomez

Rayo Vallecano possible starting lineup:

Dimitrievski; Balliu, Saveljich, Catena, F. Garcia; Ciss, Comesana; Palazon, Trejo, A. Garcia; Guardiola

We say: Valencia 1-1 Rayo Vallecano

Both teams will feel that they are more than capable of claiming all three points from this fixture as they aim to climb further up the La Liga table.

However, with little to separate these two top-10 sides, a score draw could be on the cards at the Mestalla.