Rayo Vallecano vs Lugo predictions and match preview for Sunday’s Spanish Segunda Division game. Read on for the head-to-head and analysis ahead of this final day clash in Madrid.
- DATE: Sunday 30th May 2021
- KICK-OFF: 21:00 (local time)
- STADIUM: Vallecas
- COMPETITION: LaLiga SmartBank
Rayo Vallecano vs Lugo Preview
The last matchday of the Segunda División brings with it a crunch game between promotion hopefuls Rayo Vallecano and relegation battlers Lugo in Vallecas on Sunday. A win for Los Franjirrojos will seal a top-six berth and with it a place in the promotion play-offs next week. Lugo are outside the drop zone at the moment, but only on a head-to-head advantage against UD Logroñés. Three points for the Galicians will secure them Segunda football for the 10th consecutive season.
Rayo won three games on the bounce for the first time in 2021 as they overcame struggling Castellón 2-0 on Monday. Also, Sporting’s 0-0 draw at Fuenlabrada meant that the Madrid side opened up a two point gap over the Asturians for sixth place. Leganés, Almería and Girona have already qualified for the play-offs and just the final spot is up for grabs. Even a draw will be enough for Rayo if Sporting fail to beat Almería in their last game.
In Castellón, Rayo’s breakthrough came four minutes into the second half courtesy of Yacine Qasmi but it was left-back Fran García’s long-distance rocket strike only two minutes later that stole the show. It was the Real Madrid loanee’s first goal for Rayo and a really crucial one which put his side back in the driving seat for the play-offs. After going five matches without a win which saw them drop out of the top six for the first time since December, Andoni Iraola’s side have regained form in the business end of the league picking up three wins in a row. Another three points on Sunday will not only book them a play-off spot, but also give them a ton of momentum and confidence in their promotion push.
Lugo have had a troubling year. A run of 17 winless games put them in real danger of their first relegation from the Segunda since their promotion in 2012. However, the return of fans at the Estadio Anxo Carro has provided a much-needed boost to the team. Seven points in the last three games, including two home wins over Mirandés and Cartagena has steered them out of the danger zone. Gerard Valentín was the unlikely man of the match in their 2-1 victory over Cartagena on Monday, scoring both goals – the second of which was an impressive solo effort beginning inside his own half.
Although things are still very tight around the bottom, Lugo know that their fate depends upon themselves. A win will guarantee them a place in the Segunda next season. A draw will be enough as long as UD Logroñés and Sabadell fail to win their games. If both these sides lose their matches, Lugo’s survival will be confirmed irrespective of their result against Rayo.
Head to Head
- Last 6 Competitive Meetings: 4 Rayo Wins, 2 Lugo Wins.
- Rayo have won their last 3 home games against Lugo to nil.
- Lugo were 1-0 winners in the reverse fixture earlier this term.
Rayo Vallecano vs Lugo Predictions
Score Prediction: Rayo 2-0 Lugo
In spite of Lugo’s return to form, Rayo could be too strong a challenge for them. The hosts will be going for the kill to claim that final play-off spot and should take charge of the proceedings from the get-go. Lugo are winless in their last 17 away games and it’s difficult to see that streak coming to a halt here.
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