Rayo Vallecano vs Espanyol Prediction, preview, team news and lineups 04.04.2025

• Date and Time: Friday, April 4, 2025, 21:00 GMT+1
• Venue: Estadio de Vallecas, Madrid, Spain

Rayo Vallecano vs Espanyol Preview and Team News

Rayo Vallecano Team News

It’s remarkable that Rayo Vallecano sit in 7th place in La Liga after a difficult start to the season, and there will always be one discussion that dominates the club’s headlines. However, it’s not about football. Press Agency AFP reported that Madrid’s authorities announced the beginning of the renovations at the Vallecas stadium. 

They’re expected to last at least six months. While this type of operation often forces clubs to play elsewhere, official reports claim the squad will keep playing during the revamp works at Vallecas.

🤩 No hay dos sin 𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐬 🤩

Pedro Díaz: tres goles en tres jornadas 🎯#LaLigaHighlights ⚡️ #AlavésRayo pic.twitter.com/7KMRGUt1kl

— Rayo Vallecano (@RayoVallecano) April 2, 2025

Rayo Vallecano defeated Deportivo Alavés 2-0 last weekend, with substitute Pedro Diaz finding the net. He’s been the main talking point of the team in recent weeks, scoring in three back-to-back games. 

His powerful strikes have provided a much-needed offensive boost to the squad’s vertical style of football, something they previously lacked. Pathé Ciss, whose dynamism in midfield has been Vallecano’s main source of playmaking in recent months, opened the scoring in the second minute.

Jonathan Montiel, Abdul Mumin, and Sergio Camello will be sidelined through injury.

Rayo Vallecano Predicted line-up vs Espanyol

Rayo Vallecano predicted line-up vs Espanyol (4-2-3-1): Batalla; Ratiu, Balliu, Hernandez, Chavarria; Ciss, Diaz; De Frutos, Trejo, A Garcia; Guardiola

Espanyol Team News

When promoted teams struggle to stay up, controversy surrounding refereeing decisions are not rare. This is the case for Espanyol, 16th in La Liga and two points ahead of the relegation zone. A 2-1 defeat against Mallorca did not go down well with the fans. It led to a goal in the last minute of additional time.

Cornellà was full of anti-Del Cerro Grande posters in the game against Atlético de Madrid on Saturday night. Among those is a poster with the referee and a target on his head with the caption “Wanted”. 

⚽🐦 Los 9 del 7.@javipuado20 💙 @RCDEspanyol#LALIGAEASPORTS | #LALIGAHighlights pic.twitter.com/3rVJ4MGlTT

— LALIGA (@LaLiga) April 2, 2025

The club reacted by publishing an official statement “condemning any type of violence”, but this isn’t the first time fans have been involved in controversy. In the fixture against Athletic Club, the Williams brothers were racially abused, which Espanyol condemned but failed to take further action.

Coach Manolo González joined the VAR discussion: “When referees go to the VAR, we start to tremble”. Espanyol are winless in three La Liga matches, losing to Mallorca and drawing to Girona and Atlético de Madrid. 

José Gragera and Pablo Ramón are out with injuries.

Espanyol Predicted line-up vs Rayo Vallecano 

Espanyol Predicted line-up vs Rayo Vallecano (4-4-2): J. García; Romero, Cabrera, Kumbulla, El Hilali; Puado, Lozano, González, Carreras; Fernández, Král.

Rayo Vallecano vs Espanyol Prediction

• Prediction: Rayo Vallecano to win
• Odds: 1.73 (22Bet)
• Score Prediction: Rayo Vallecano 2-1 Espanyol

While Rayo Vallecano often struggle to find the final action to break low blocks, the home advantage tilts the match in their favour. The Estadio de Vallecas is one of the smallest stadiums in the league, giving them a unique edge. The hosts defeated Alavés last weekend, another team known for its low block.

Rayo Vallecano are more motivated than ever as they rank 7th, making European competitions a real possibility. 

Rayo Vallecano vs Espanyol Betting Tip

• Pick: Ratiu to score 
• Odds: 8.5 (22Bet)

Although it would seem logical to expect Ciss or Trejo to be the likely scorers, right-back Ratiu has been one of the keys behind Rayo Vallecano’s success this season. 

Against low blocks, his dynamism on the right flank has been even more impactful. He’s comfortable shooting in the box when low blocks are difficult to break through, a strategic manoeuvre. 

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