La Liga preview and odds: Rayo Vallecano vs. Malaga

Published on: 12/12/2015

La Liga preview and odds: Rayo Vallecano vs. Malaga

December 13, 2015 11:00am - Campo de Fútbol de Vallecas

La Liga

Madrid-based Rayo Vallecano will attempt to distance themselves from relegation rivals Malaga when the two teams go head-to-head at the Campo de Fútbol de Vallecas in La Liga on Sunday morning.

Rayo looking to halt slide

Rayo Vallecano are winless in three games but will have a great chance to put the brakes on their recent slide when they host struggling Malaga in Vallecas on Sunday morning. Despite their recent dip, the team from Madrid has won three of their last five home games having disposed of Granada, Espanyol and Sporting Gijon.

Paco Jemez`s men come in to this game on the back of an away defeat to Villarreal that was preceded by a home defeat at the hand of Athletic Club. Malaga still without a goal on the road

All is still not well at Malaga but back-to-back draws at home to Granada and away to Athletic Club have eased the pressure slightly on Coach Javi Gracia. However, the Andalucian club have yet to win or even score a goal away from home this season and have only managed seven goals on home soil. Los Boquerones have fielded a total of seven strikers this season but only veteran Brazilian, Charles, has found the net.

The club`s owner has talked about making some drastic changes at the club in the coming months but it is quite clear that the acquisition of a quality goal-scorer would improve their chances of avoiding the drop come May.

Team news

Rayo will be without midfielder Raul Baena who is suspended for this clash, while the injured trio of Patrick Ebert, Toño and David Cobeno make up the list of players that are definitely missing. Christian Alvarez, Ousseynou Cisse and Ze Castro all remain doubtful along with Razvan Rat who is back in full training but unlikely to start.

Meanwhile, Malaga are still without the injured Flavio Nunes Ferreira, while Maecos Angeleri and Miguel Torres are both edging closer to returns but unlikely to feature. The good news is that Ignacio Camacho, Arthur Boka and Andane Tighadouini have all returned to full training and are available.

Recent form (League)

Rayo Vallecano: LLDWL

Malaga: DDLLL

Betting odds and tips

Veteran striker Javi Guerra has scored five of his eight goals for Rayo on home soil this term and can be backed at a great price of 2/1 to score anytime with Paddypower.

Malaga have still not scored a goal away from home this season. Take advantage and back Rayo to Win to Nil at 11/4 with Bet365.

By Neil Morris

Published on: 12/12/2015

Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (12/12/2015 12:20:17) but are subject to change.