Granada vs Rayo Vallecano predictions and match preview for Sunday’s LaLiga fixture. Read on for analysis, the head-to-head, team news and predicted lineups as Rayo travel to Los Carmenes.
| Date | Sunday 3rd April 2022 |
| Kick-Off | 18:30 (local time) |
| Stadium | Los Carmenes |
| Competition | LaLiga |
Granada vs Rayo Vallecano Preview
Granada and Rayo Vallecano face off in one of the key games at the bottom of the table this weekend in LaLiga. It’s 16th vs 13th as the table stands going into the matchday and a victory for either side here would leave them in a very strong position to go on and seal top flight football in 2022/23.
The hosts are in more immediate peril but their hopes of survival got a huge boost last time out as they won their relegation six-pointer at Alaves 3-2. That was their second game under interim boss Ruben Torrecilla and Luis Suarez’s late winner in Vitoria looks to have convinced the Granada board to stick with Torrecilla for now.
As previously cited on LLE, this is the key period in Granada’s season with bottom club Levante their next visitors to Los Carmenes after this. Home wins in this game and that one would push the Andalusians to the brink of safety and it feels like they may prove the decisive games in Granada’s run-in and they certainly offer them the best chance of picking up all important victories.
As for Rayo Vallecano, they are four points better off and six clear of the relegation zone. Right now they have some breathing space but things can turn around very quickly and unlike their opponents, they don’t have any obviously winnable fixtures until they host Levante on the final weekend. Ominously, four of their next five are away and Rayo have only collected 1 point from their last 9 road games in LaLiga.
Should that form continue over this period, Rayo could be in deep trouble by the time the final few games come around and it’s a real challenge for Andoni Iraola to try and find some solutions away from home. They don’t appear to have the kinds of characteristics that allow them to just try to nullify opponents and grind out bore draws but they’ve failed to offer as much of an attacking threat away either and aren’t helped here by the suspension of key man Oscar Trejo.
Head to Head
- Last 6 Competitive Meetings: 5 Rayo Wins, 1 Draw.
- Rayo have won the last 3 meetings to nil.
- That includes a 4-0 win at Vallecas earlier this term.
- Granada haven’t scored against Rayo since a 2-2 home draw in 2016.
Team News
| Injured | Doubtful | Banned | |
| Granada | Lozano, Arias, Gonalons, Neva, Rochina | Montoro | Aaron Escandell |
| Rayo Vallecano | Merquelanz | Falcao, Unai Lopez, Saveljich | Trejo |
Latest LaLiga Injuries & Suspensions
Possible Lineups
Granada vs Rayo Vallecano Predictions
Score Prediction: Granada 2-0 Rayo Vallecano
Only Karim Benzema has more assists in LaLiga this season than Oscar Trejo which helps showcase what a huge miss he will be for Rayo here. They may struggle to ask as many questions of this Granada defence without him and they always look vulnerable defensively whenever they travel. Granada will have renewed belief following that key win last time out and should inch further towards safety with three points here.
PLEASE NOTE – Our LaLiga predictions are not betting tips. No profits are guaranteed if you’re using them to bet on football. If you are gambling, do so responsibly and never stake more than you can afford to lose. BeGambleAware.
Mark Sochon is an experienced football writer and editor of LaLiga Expert. Based in Madrid, he has covered La Liga and Spanish football for many years. He also covers Spanish and European football for Goal and Betfred, while his work has previously been published by the Guardian and World Soccer.