If you said newly promoted Rayo Vallecano and Real Betis would play a January La Liga fixture with the two clubs battling for Champions League qualification, most football fans would have called you crazy.
Yet, on Sunday afternoon, that is exactly what these two teams will do at the Campo de Futbol de Vallecas. Rayo Vallecano head into the match sitting in sixth place. The Red Sashes are a mere two points off of out of form Atletico Madrid for the final Champions League qualification place.
📺 RESUMEN #CopaDelRey 🆚 @CDMirandes | 0-1 | @RayoVallecano ⚽️ 0-1 | Andrés Martín (67') #CopaDelRey | #LaCopaMola🏆 pic.twitter.com/aHBYziAbBF— RFEF (@rfef) January 5, 2022
📺 RESUMEN #CopaDelRey 🆚 @CDMirandes | 0-1 | @RayoVallecano ⚽️ 0-1 | Andrés Martín (67') #CopaDelRey | #LaCopaMola🏆 pic.twitter.com/aHBYziAbBF
Real Betis are third in the league and just three points ahead of Rayo Vallecano. Los Verdiblancos are on a two-match losing streak ahead of Sunday’s fixture. There are fears building that Real Betis’s great first half of the season will be undone by a poor second half of the campaign.
Rayo Vallecano have lost two of their last three games. A week ago, they fell 2-0 away to Atletico Madrid in a top-four six-point fixture. Now, coach Andoni Iraola is aiming to get the side back to winning ways.
Real Betis picked up a 3-2 win against Rayo Vallecano at home earlier this season. The five-goal thriller saw Real Betis go 2-0 up thanks to goals from Alex Moreno and Juanmi before Rayo Vallecano’s Randy Nteka.
Rayo Vallecano then levelled the game just after the hour-mark thanks to a goal from Alvaro Garcia. Real Betis finally got the winner on 75 minutes as Willian Jose scored a late penalty.
Real Betis are winless on their last two trips to the Campo de Futbol de Vallecas. Manager Manuel Pellegrini could be without up to five players for the clash. Forward Willian Jose and defender Martin Montoya are both ruled out through injury.
Defender German Pezzella and goalkeeper Claudio Bravo tested positive for COVID-19 and are doubts to appear. Midfielder Victor Camarasa continues to battle a muscle injury and could miss the fixture.
Iraola could be without six players for the match. Unai Lopez Cabrera has a hamstring injury that will keep him out of action. Martin Merquelanz is ruled out through injury as well.
Meanwhile, Iraola is unlikely to have Yacine Qasmi, Sergio Moreno, Randy Nteka, and Alejandro Catena due to positive COVID-19 tests.
Rayo Vallecano may have players missing, but they have the best home points total in La Liga with 25 points from 27 points possible. The Red Sashes should stay unbeaten at home versus Real Betis by posting a win.
Real Betis are struggling and could crash out of the top four with a loss away to Rayo Vallecano. It will be Betis’s third straight La Liga loss.