Preview: Celta Vigo vs. Rayo Vallecano - prediction, team news, lineups

Rayo Vallecano will be bidding to return to winning ways in La Liga when they continue their campaign away to Celta Vigo on Saturday evening.

The away side are currently eighth in the table, boasting 31 points from their opening 21 league matches of the season, while Celta occupy 12th, having collected 27 points from their 22 La Liga games this term.

Match preview

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Celta have won seven, drawn six and lost nine of their 22 La Liga matches this season to collect 27 points, which has left them in 12th spot in the table, four points behind their opponents this weekend.

The Sky Blues, who finished eighth in Spain's top flight last term, have only lost one of their last six in the league, while they have picked up four points from their last two games, beating Osasuna 2-0 on January 19 before holding title-chasing Sevilla to a 2-2 draw at Estadio Ramon on January 22.

Celta actually led by two goals against Sevilla heading into the final 20 minutes, only for the home side to score twice in quick succession to secure a share of the spoils.

Eduardo Coudet's side have impressed on their travels this season, boasting the sixth-best away record, but they have found it difficult in front of their own fans, only collecting 11 points from 11 matches.

Celta are winless in their last four La Liga games against Rayo, meanwhile, and the points were shared in a goalless draw in the reverse match earlier this season.

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Rayo, meanwhile, booked their spot in the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey on Wednesday night courtesy of a 1-0 victory over Mallorca, with Oscar Trejo netting the winner from the penalty spot in the 44th minute.

Andoni Iraola's side suffered a 1-0 defeat to Athletic Bilbao in their last La Liga match on January 23, but it has still been an excellent campaign for the club in Spain's top flight.

Indeed, a record of nine wins, four draws and eight defeats from 21 games has brought them 31 points, which is enough for eighth position at this stage, just five points behind fourth-placed Atletico Madrid.

Rayo have only won one of their last five in the league, though, suffering three defeats in the process, which has led to them sliding down the table, having previously been in the top four.

Avoiding dropping back into the second tier was the club's number one priority this season, so they have seriously performed above expectations, with the Madrid outfit having no relegation fears at this stage.

Team News

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Celta's squad is in excellent shape at the moment, with head coach Coudet, as it stands, having a fully-fit squad to choose from.

As a result, it is not too difficult to predict the home side's starting team, with Iago Aspas and Santi Mina again set to feature as the front two in a 4-1-3-2 formation against Rayo.

Franco Cervi was on the scoresheet against Sevilla last time out and should retain his spot in a wide area, while Denis Suarez, Fran Beltran and Brais Mendez will also be in the first XI.

As for Rayo, Martin Merquelanz remains out with a knee problem, but the visitors have no fresh concerns heading into this weekend's La Liga contest.

Isi Palazon, Trejo and Alvaro Garcia are all set to retain their attacking spots from Wednesday's Copa del Rey contest with Mallorca, but there will be alterations from the side that featured in the cup.

The visitors will also be hopeful that Radamel Falcao is available to lead the line, with the 35-year-old in action for Colombia over the international break.

Celta Vigo possible starting lineup:
Dituro; Mallo, Aidoo, Araujo, Galan; Mendez, D Suarez, Beltran, Cervi; Mina, Aspas

Rayo Vallecano possible starting lineup:
Zidane; Balliu, Saveljich, Catena, F Garcia; Ciss, Comesana; Palazon, Trejo, A Garcia; Falcao

We say: Celta Vigo 2-2 Rayo Vallecano

Celta's home form this season has been disappointing, but Rayo have not travelled particularly well, which makes this a difficult match to call. Both sides are enjoying impressive campaigns, though, and there will be plenty of attacking talent on the field, so we are predicting an entertaining draw here.

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