Rayo Vallecano vs Mallorca predictions and match preview for Saturday’s LaLiga fixture. Read on for analysis, team news and predicted lineups as the hosts aim to continue their fine start to the season.
| Date | Saturday 27th August 2022 |
| Kick-Off | 19:30 (local time) |
| Stadium | Vallecas |
| Competition | LaLiga |
Rayo Vallecano vs Mallorca Preview
Rayo Vallecano and Mallorca meet in Vallecas on Saturday with the hosts looking to extend what has been a wonderful start to the season. They got off to a flying start last term too and will be hoping to once again pull well clear of the relegation scrap early on. This match offers a decent opportunity to collect three points against a Mallorca side that does look like a relegation candidate once more.
Having done the away double over the Catalan clubs last season, starting with Barcelona and Espanyol away might not have sparked fear into this Rayo side but they certainly wouldn’t have dreamt of coming into this game without even conceding a goal and with 4 points on the board. Andoni Iraola continues to impress with his tactical plans and his team have really delivered for him too with Isi Palazon and Pathe Ciss on target in the 2-0 win at the RCDE Stadium last time out.
This will be a different kind of game with Rayo expected to dictate the tempo at home. It’s also a significant one as they are keen to end a winless home run which stretches back to December last year in LaLiga. The only team they have beaten in Vallecas in 2022 is Mallorca who visited for a Copa del Rey tie in February.
Mallorca have one point on the board from their opening two fixtures. They were perhaps a bit fortunate to take that as they relied on a fine goalkeeping display from debutant Predrag Rajković to take a point in Bilbao on matchday one. However they were perhaps unlucky to not take anything from their next game, a 2-1 defeat at home to Betis who triumphed thanks to two Borja Iglesias penalties.
They do look like a side in need of one or two late additions to give them a stronger shot of beating the drop again. You certainly would worry for them should Vedat Muriqi get injured as the Kosovo striker is so central to everything they do. However there are some positives for Mallorca fans to cling to with Rajkovic and young defender José Copete looking like they could be good additions which may help improve matters defensively.
Team News & Possible Lineups
Rayo
| INJURED | Andres Martin |
| DOUBTFUL | Comesaña, Diego Lopez |
| BANNED | Lejeune |
Possible XI: Dimitrievski – Garcia, Catena, Saveljich, Balliu – Ciss, Lopez – Alvaro Garcia, Trejo, Isi – Camello (4-2-3-1)
Coach: Andoni Iraola
Mallorca
| INJURED | De Galaretta, Amath, Greif, Baba, Angel |
| DOUBTFUL | |
| BANNED |
Possible XI: Possible XI: Rajkovic – Jaume Costa, Copete, Raillo, Valjent, Maffeo – Grenier, Dani Rodriguez, Battaglia – Muriqi, Kang-in (5-3-2)
Coach: Javier Aguirre
Score Prediction: Rayo Vallecano 2-1 Mallorca
Rayo have been impressive so far but they will be forced into a slight reshuffle at the back here with Florian Lejeune suspended. Mallorca may fancy they can have a bit of joy going forwards but overall Rayo will come into this game with confidence and perhaps grateful for the fresh start after their home form declined in the second half of last season. They look the more likely winners here.
PLEASE NOTE – Our LaLiga predictions are not betting tips! No profits are guaranteed if you’re using them to bet on Spanish football. If you are gambling, do so responsibly and never stake more than you can afford to lose. BeGambleAware.
