Rayo Vallecano vs Sevilla

Campo de Fútbol de Vallecas forms the backdrop for Sevilla’s ‘make or break’ La Liga showdown against out-of-form Rayo Vallecano. 

Rayo Vallecano suffered a late heartache against city rivals Atletico Madrid in midweek La Liga action, conceding in the 90th minute of a 2-1 defeat at the Estadio Metropolitano to extend their winless league run to three matches (D1, L2). As if that wasn’t troubling enough, head coach Francisco picked up a red and won’t be in the dugout as his men bid to arrest a disastrous eight-game winless streak at Campo de Fútbol de Vallecas (D5, L3), their longest such run in the top flight since failing to win 11 in a row in 2022! Now at risk of being plunged back into the relegation battle, ‘Los Franjirrojos’ can find some consolation in holding Sevilla winless in their last four La Liga encounters (W1, D3), including a goal-glutted 2-2 draw in the reverse fixture.

On the other hand, Sevilla’s nightmarish campaign hit a new low last week as they surrendered a halftime lead in a 1-1 home draw against Osasuna, taking their woeful winless run in La Liga to five matches (D1, L4). Recently appointed as a possible savior, Quique Sanchez Flores has already come under heavy scrutiny, with ‘Los Rojiblancos’ languishing merely a place beyond the drop zone, albeit level on points with 18th-placed Cadiz. Ending their sub-par run on the road looks a bit far-fetched, considering Sevilla’s travel sickness has seen them register just one win in ten away league games this season (D3, L6), most recently succumbing to an embarrassing 5-1 defeat at surprise package Girona.