Preview : Rayo Vallecano vs Ath Bilbao - Live streaming, lineups & Prediction

Rayo Vallecano vs Ath Bilbao

SCHEDULE	TIME
GAME	Rayo Vallecano vs Ath Bilbao
DATE	23.01.2022
TIME	12:30 PM (UTC)
VENUE	Campo de Futbol de Vallecas (Madrid)
LEAGUE	LaLiga - Round 22

TV Channel Info

More Information

Streaming starts 5 minutes before kick off

Match Preview

◉ Going in search of a crucial three points to strengthen their bid for only a second-ever European campaign, consistency is key, although it seems that message hasn’t quite reached the Rayo Vallecano camp yet as they’ve not achieved the same back-to-back result in La Liga (LL) since September. Madrid’s often forgotten side now return to LL action with a tricky test against Athletic Bilbao, with the incentive of completing a first-ever league double over their opponents.

◉ UEFA Champions League football certainly isn’t out of reach just yet, and this game falling on home soil could well give Vallecano the edge in claiming a crucial three points, given the fact that no side has beaten them at the Estadio de Vallecas in LL this season (W8, D2). Their stringent defence has also leaked only four home league goals this campaign, three of which arrived in the first half.

◉ The sight of Vallecano’s water-tight defence won’t be a pleasant one for midtable Athletic, who have failed to score in four of their last five LL away games and now face the very real prospect of missing out on finishing in a European league placing for a fifth successive season - the club’s joint-longest run since the turn of the century.

◉ Scoring goals on the road remains a deep-rooted problem for Marcelino García Toral’s side, as just one of their last 19 LL away games saw them find the net more than once (W3, D12, L4). Yet despite their evident attacking bluntness, Athletic have been defensively sound this term, conceding more than once in just one of their last 17 LL away games, with only one of those matches ultimately witnessing over 2.5 total goals.

◉ Players to watch: Vallecano’s Sergi Guardiola netted a Copa del Rey double last time out, and his four goalscoring appearances this season have seen him net his side's first goal. Meanwhile, Iñaki Williams has netted the winner in two of Athletic’s last three LL away wins.

◉ Hot stat: Athletic have collected the least yellow cards in LL this season (36).

Rayo Vallecano possible starting lineup:
Zidane; Balilu, Saveljich, Catena, Garcia; Trejo, Ciss; Palazon, Comesana, Nteka; Guardiola

Athletic Bilbao possible starting lineup:
Simon; Lekue, Vivian, Martinez, Balenziaga; Berenguer, D. Garcia, Vesga, Muniain; Sancet, I. Williams

Prediction

Rayo Vallecano 1-2 Athletic Bilbao

Both clubs are having to battle hard to remain in contention for European qualification, and that should make for an intense match on Sunday. We give the marginal edge to the visitors, who may be able to capitalise on expectations beginning to rise at their opponents.