Celta Vigo vs Rayo Vallecano predictions, H2H and match preview for this Saturday’s final weekend clash in La Liga. Read on for analysis and predicted line-ups as the hosts aim to seal survival.
Celta Vigo vs Rayo Vallecano Match Preview
This match once promised to be a gigantic final day shootout for survival between two sides who have been in amongst the relegation scrap for most of the season. Ultimately it’s not quite that big with Rayo already down but Celta Vigo do have a job to do here. A point will guarantee their survival but defeat would leave them vulnerable if Girona win at Alaves but the Catalans would also have to overturn a 6 goal deficit to secure a superior goal difference and keep themselves in the top flight.
Celta will back themselves to win this game though having reeled off four straight wins at Balaidos. Iago Aspas’ return to fitness has effectively proved the difference between relegation and what should now be survival. The Vigo native has scored 8 and assisted a further 4 goals in his 8 appearances since coming back from injury to inspire a 3-2 comeback win over Villarreal in March. He is sure to be key again here as Celta look to finally get over the line and guarantee themselves top flight football in 2019/20.
Rayo will be back in the second tier next season with the return of Paco Jemez failing to turn their season around. Rayo fans will at least have a victory over Real Madrid to look back on with fondness when they reflect on this season but they will face the tough task of trying to bounce back in a competitive Segunda Division when August rolls back around. This will be the final time we get a glimpse of Raul De Tomas in a Rayo shirt but unlike his team, the striker is likely to be in the Primera Division next season although it’s hard to predict where that will be.
To some extent this is a tale of two strikers with Aspas and De Tomas very much the star men for their teams this season. Rayo’s hopes here are further hampered by a suspension to left-back Alex Moreno with Sergio Akieme set to come in.
Check out all our La Liga match predictions this weekend!
Celta Vigo vs Rayo Vallecano Predictions
Score Prediction: 3-0 Celta Vigo
Celta were poor last weekend but they’ve been getting the job done at Balaidos and have had tremendous backing in recent weeks. That should be the case again here and they look capable of seeing off Rayo with some ease with Aspas sure to be at the centre of things again as the Galicians look to confirm their survival and Girona’s relegation.
Read more – Mid-Table in March – What went wrong for Girona?
Celta Vigo vs Rayo Vallecano H2H
- Last 6 meetings: 4 Rayo Wins, 2 Celta Wins.
- All of the last 6 meetings have been won by the team playing at home.
- Rayo beat Celta 4-2 earlier in the season.
- However they’ve conceded 9 goals across their last 2 trips to Balaidos.
One to Watch – Iago Aspas
? @RCCelta forward @aspas10 is the #LaLigaSantander Player of the Month for April. ?
— LaLiga (@LaLigaEN) May 15, 2019
To say Iago Aspas has been key for Celta Vigo since his return from injury would be the understatement of the season. The hometown hero has been inspired and is sure to play an big role again here.
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Predicted Line Ups
Celta Vigo Team:
Blanco – Mallo, Cabral, Araujo, Olaza – Boufal, Yokuslu, Lobotka, Mendez – Aspas, Gomez (4-4-2)
Rayo Vallecano Team:
Dimitrievski – Akieme, Ba, Velazquez, Advincula – Agbo, Suarez – Embarba, Pozo, Bebe – De Tomas (4-2-3-1)
Preview via Daniel Garcia – Contact: daniel@laligaexpert.com
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