Soccer Spain LaLiga Prediction

Rayo Vallecano vs Osasuna - Match Preview

⚽ 14 April 2023 - 19:00 GMT +0

After eyeing up European qualification earlier this term, Rayo Vallecano have lost their way and are now eight La Liga (LL) games without a win (D5, L3) following Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Atlético Madrid. That good early season form means they still sit ten points clear of the relegation zone in a relatively comfortable mid-table position, prompting midfielder Óscar Valentín to state after their weekend loss that “sooner or later those three points will come, which will bring calm.”

As that derby defeat was their first loss in five home matches (W1, D3), staying calm could serve them well although they can’t relax too much having only won one of the last four H2Hs here (D1, L2) including a 3-0 defeat last season. Only winning once this term against sides currently above them in the standings (D1, L3) is also a cause for concern.

Vallecano’s loss of form has allowed visitors Osasuna to overtake them following their 2-1 win over struggling Elche at the weekend. For the second time in the week, they rallied to produce a result after trailing 1-0 at the break following their 1-1 extra-time draw with Athletic Bilbao that put them into the Copa del Rey final.

With that to look forward to next month, Osasuna could be forgiven for taking their eye off the ball but they remain focused as a win here would lift them - even if only temporarily - into seventh place, a ranking which would see them in position to qualify for Europe. However, to do so they’ll need to build on their current record of one LL away win in eight attempts (D5, L2) with them failing to score in three of the last four of those fixtures.

📋 Players to watch: Santi Comesaña has produced two goal contributions (G1, A1) across Vallecano’s last two fixtures, but he’s yet to win a personal H2H with Osasuna (D1, L4). Abde Ezzalzouli has scored each of Osasuna’s last three LL goals, all of them after the 70th minute.

⚡ Hot streak: Osasuna haven’t netted before half-time in any of their last seven fixtures (W2, D3, L2).