La Liga preview and odds: Espanyol vs Rayo Vallecano

Published on: 07/03/2016

La Liga preview and odds: Espanyol vs Rayo Vallecano

March 07, 2016 20:30pm - RCDE Stadium

La Liga

Espanyol`s search for consistency will continue on Monday night, when they welcome perennial relegation battlers Rayo Vallecano to Barcelona in La Liga.

Two wins in three matches for Espanyol

When Espanyol recently ended their 10-game winless streak by securing back-to-back wins at home to Deportivo La Coruna and away to Sporting Gijon, it appeared as if they had finally turned a corner under new boss Constantin Galca.

However, they followed up that brace of victories by falling 3-0 at home to Real Betis. They now have a chance to make amends when they face relegation rivals Rayo Vallecano on home soil.

The team from Barcelona have lost just two of their last nine league games on home soil, but both of those defeats came in their last three matches. During their recent six-game unbeaten spell at the RCDE Stadium, they held Barcelona to a 0-0 draw and Villarreal to a 2-2 draw. They currently sit in 15th place in the league table, just two points above the drop zone.

One defeat in seven for Rayo

Rayo Vallecano`s recent run of seven games without defeat was ended last week when they fell 5-1 at home to runaway league leaders Barcelona. Despite, their decent run, the club from Madrid are still stuck in 17rh place in the league table, level on points with Granada, who occupy the first relegation spot.

Away from home, Pacoo Jemez`s men have been involved in four consecutive 2-2 draws, and they have scored at least one goal in 11 of their last 12 games on the road.

Team news

For the home side, Mamadou Sylla, Canas and Arbilla are all out injured.

Meanwhile, the visitors will be without Nicolas Fedor, Pablo Hernandez, PatrickEbert, Tono Rodriguez and Cobeno, while Jozabed and Javi Guerra are still doubtful.

Recent form (League)

Espanyol: WWLLL

Rayo Vallecano: DDDWD

Betting odds and tips

Both teams have scored in nine of Rayo`s last 10 away games.

You can back that outcome at 8/13 with Bet365. In addition, the same bookie will offer you 12/1 on Rayo playing out their fifth-straight 2-2 stalemate.

By Neil Morris

Published on: 07/03/2016

Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (07/03/2016 11:44:41) but are subject to change.