Good evening and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of tonight's La Liga clash between Atletico Madrid and Rayo Vallecano at the Vicente Calderon.
Atletico have registered four points from their opening two league matches of the season, while they demolished Chelsea 4-1 in the Super Cup last month.
Meanwhile, Rayo have recorded two wins and a draw from their first three league matches to leave them in fourth spot in the table.
Atletico enter tonight's match having not played since the end of August, while Rayo registered a 0-0 draw with Sevilla before the international break.
Please note that kickoff is at 8.30pm.
10.25pmPhew. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to join us for Everton vs. Newcastle United on Monday. Good night!
10.23pmSo there we have it. Atletico move into fifth spot - one place ahead of Rayo - following the pulsating encounter. Now you can breathe.
10.21pmWow. Atletico Madrid move into fifth spot with a 4-3 win over Rayo Vallecano - but it was far from comfortable. Three goals in seven second-half minutes handed Atletico a 4-0 lead, but three goals in the final seven minutes gave Rayo some hope. What an incredible match.
FULL-TIMEAtletico Madrid 4-3 Rayo Vallecano
90 min+3Godin thumps his free kick straight out of play - strange decision? But it has wasted some seconds. Atletico are almost there.
90 min+2The clock is against Rayo as time drifts away. Maybe one more chance? It would be one of the most stunning comebacks of all time.
90 minStill they pump the ball forward, but Atletico continue to thump the danger clear. We will play three more minutes.
90 minWe are into stoppage time here. Can Rayo secure an unlikely point?
89 minOH MY WORD! It's awful defending from Atletico as Leo pounces in the box to thump the ball past Courtois.
89 minGOAL! Atletico 4-3 Rayo (Leo)
88 minAny more coming? Another goal in the next two minutes really would set up some finish. But as it stands, Atletico have possession of the ball.
86 minWhat an incredible end to the evening. What are Atletico doing? They have simply switched off in the past five minutes or so.
85 minWhat was I saying?! Delibasic finds the bottom corner after smart work from Lass. Any more?
85 minGOAL! Atletico 4-2 Rayo (Delibasic)
83 minIt won't change much in the context of the match, but Atletico will not be happy at conceding. Can they add another to set up a grandstand finish? Maybe not.
82 minRayo have their goal and it's Delibasic who converts a Lass cross from close range.
82 minGOAL! Atletico 4-1 Rayo (Delibasic)
82 minIt's a rare venture forward for Rayo as Fuego finds the run of Lass in the box, but Miranda makes a fine interception. How good has he been tonight?!
80 minAnother chance for the home side as Luis finds the run of Tiago in the box, but the former Chelsea man just cannot make contact. Rayo just cannot get the ball.
78 minStill Atletico dominate possession of the ball with Koke and Gabi enjoying their football in midfield. Meanwhile, Falcao is such a threat in attack.
76 minAnother chance for five as Luis finds Adrian in the box, but the striker fires it over the crossbar from just inside the box. All one-way traffic at the moment.
74 minIt's wonderful football from Atletico as they sweep across the pitch with precise passing, but Falcao just heads Koke's cross over the crossbar. Really nice on the eye that.
72 minChance! So nearly the first goal of the evening for Rayo as Leo meets a Carlos corner, but his header thumps off the crossbar. So unlucky.
70 minMeanwhile, third and final change for the away side as Andrija Delibasic replaces Adrian.
68 minAtletico go in search of their fifth as Gabi floats a dangerous cross into the box, but Rodriguez just cannot make contact in the box.
66 minNot a great deal happening at the moment truth be told. This match was over the moment Turan added a third after 51 minutes. Meanwhile, final change for the home side as Turan is replaced by Adrian.
64 minAgain it's really nice work from the home side as Luis advances down the left, but his cross is collected by Dani. You can just sense that the fifth is coming.
62 minMeanwhile, change for the home side as Tiago - remember him Chelsea fans? - replaces Suarez.
62 minHalf-chance for Turan to add Atletico's fifth as he strikes from outside the box, but it was always moving high of the crossbar.
60 minYou would be excused for thinking that Rayo would try and stem the flow of pressure, but they are attacking. And it is leaving huge gaps for Atletico to exploit.
58 minThis could really get embarrassing in the final 30 minutes for Rayo. Atletico are just in total control.
56 minWhat a start to this second period. Meanwhile, change for Atletico as Costa is replaced by Cristian Rodriguez - and a change for Rayo as Alejandro Dominguez replaces Nielsen.
56 minWas it really in any doubt? Falcao smashes the penalty home to move his side into a 4-0 lead.
55 minGOAL! Atletico 4-0 Rayo (Falcao)
55 minIt's a penalty to the home side as Fuego brings Costa down in the area. Falcao will take it...
55 minPENALTY TO ATLETICO
55 minChange for Rayo as Lass replaces Piti - and he does not look best pleased with that decision.
53 minThe home side have not even played that well. They have just been so so clinical. Can they challenge for the La Liga title this season? Only time will tell.
52 minGood grief. Before we had time to mention the second goal - Atletico added a third. That has well and truly wrapped this game up. How many will they get now?
51 minOh my word! Almost immediately Turan extends Atletico's lead as he finishes from close range.
51 minGOAL! Atletico 3-0 Rayo (Turan)
50 minAtletico extend their lead as Koke taps a Diego Costa cross home at the far post.
49 minGOAL! Atletico 2-0 Rayo (Koke)
49 minAnother half-chance falls to the away side as Jose Carlos strikes a volley inside the box, but his effort is high and wide when he might have done better.
49 minIt's been a strong opening to the second period for Rayo as they continue to force a number of corners, but Atletico just look so dogged in defence.
47 minReally bright start from Rayo as Jose Carlos advances down the Atletico left, but his cross is cleared by Miranda. Early danger for the home side.
46 minAtletico get us underway in the second period. Can they add to their lead this half?
9.30pmHere we go then. Both sets of players are emerging for the second period. No sign of any changes for either side.
9.27pmJust a reminder that Atletico will move into fifth spot - with a game in hand - should they win this evening. Meanwhile, Rayo could move as high as second with all three points.
9.24pmWe haven't seen a great deal from Falcao in the opening half, but you would not bet against him scoring in the second period. Meanwhile, Miranda has been wonderful at the back for Atletico.
9.21pmSurprisingly, Rayo have dominated possession with 61%. However, they have managed just two shots to Atletico's four.
9.18pmSo there we have it. Atletico lead Rayo at the break courtesy of a strike from Mario Suarez 15 minutes before the break. The home side started the match the stronger, but Rayo did grow into the half in the latter stages. As it stands, the away side are heading for their first league defeat of the season.
HALF-TIMEAtletico Madrid 1-0 Rayo Vallecano
45 minChance! It's really nice work from the home side as Koke finds himself unmarked in the box, but his effort is tame and straight at Dani. He really should have scored.
43 minThe referee is having a bit of a horror show at the moment as he continues to award free kick after free kick. Meanwhile, Miranda - who else - is there to clear his lines once more.
41 minIt just isn't quite happening for Rayo at the moment as Adrian searches out the run of Jose Carlos, but his pass is over-hit. Not a great deal happening at the moment truth be told.
39 minSighter for the away side as Amat picks up possession outside the box, but his shot is high and wide of the crossbar. Just over five minutes of the half remaining.
37 minHalf-chance for the home side as Gabi finds Juanfran down the right, but the defender's cross is poor - and collected by Dani.
35 minIt's pass, pass, pass from Atletico at the moment. Not a great deal in terms of attacking intent. But they are doing what they need to do as the break fast approaches.
33 minIt all seems to be going the home sides way at the moment as the referee awards them free kick after free kick. Rayo just need to settle down before the break.
31 minSuddenly Atletico really have their tails up as they flood forward with Turan and Koke. They look a really decent side.
30 minAtletico finally have the lead as Mario Suarez turns home at the back post. Hint of a luck about the way it fell in the box, but he finished it well.
29 minGOAL! Atletico 1-0 Rayo (Suarez)
28 minRayo force another free kick in a dangerous position as Miranda fells Leo. However, Courtois plucks the ball to safety.
26 minAgain it's good play from the home side as Turan advances down the left, but his cross goes out for a goal-kick. Real end-to-end stuff as we approach the 30-minute mark.
24 minSuddenly the chances are falling for both sides as Leo advances into the Atletico box, but Miranda comes across to make the block. Much more of an even contest at the moment.
22 minAnother sighter for Atletico as Falcao picks up possession inside the area, but he fires his shot over the crossbar when he might have done better.
22 minHalf-chance for the home side as Gabi searches out the run of Falcao, but Dani senses the danger and clears it for a throw in. No question who the danger man is tonight.
20 minSighter for the away side as Leo searches out Nielsen in the box, but Luis just clears the danger after Miranda had slipped in the area. Better from Rayo.
18 minPiti continues to have an influence for Rayo as he breaks up attack after attack from the home side. No real chances in the past 10 minutes or so.
16 min... but it isn't great from the former Barcelona man as he fires it straight over the crossbar. Poor.
15 minHowever, Rayo force a free kick just outside the box as Trashorras is felled by Gabi...
15 minThe match has just settled after a lively opening, but Atletico remain very much in control of the possession. They look a real threat.
13 minIt's better from Rayo as Adrian ghosts into the Atletico box, but he is ruled offside. Finally a bit of attacking intent from the away side.
12 minNielsen throws himself to the ground under the challenge of Atletico defender Miranda - there was simply nothing in it. That's really poor from the striker. Meanwhile, everything is going through Falcao for the home side.
10 minThe home side continue to flood forward as Luis finds the run of Falcao down the left, but Tito just makes the challenge. Rayo just cannot get out of their own half at the moment.
8 minAnother chance for the home side as Koke whips a dangerous cross into the box, but Dani comes to the edge of the box to punch the ball to safety. Strange goalkeeping, but effective.
8 minDecent tempo to the match in the early stages with Turan and Gabi both involved in advanced positions. Meanwhile, they have forced a host of corners thus far.
6 minChance! Wonderful chance for Atletico to take the lead as Falcao drills an effort from outside the box, but Dani saves with his legs. It's all one-way traffic at the moment.
4 minSighter for Atletico as Turn searches out Falcao in the area, but Tito is on hand to turn it behind for a corner - which is cleared.
4 minThe home side are just beginning to gain possession in midfield with Koke and Turan linking well, but Rayo have come with a clear game plan this evening.
2 minIt's bright work from Rayo as they flood forward with numbers from midfield, but Piti's strike moves wide of the post.
1 minHere we go then. Madrid kick us off at the Vicente Calderon. Good crowd inside the crowd this evening.
8.28pmUpdate: Real Sociedad remain on course for three points against Real Zaragoza as they lead 2-0.
8.26pmHere we go then. Both sets of players have emerged onto the pitch. There looks to be some really serious faces among them. Let's get this show on the road.
8.24pmYou get as high as 9/1 for a Rayo win this evening. It might be worth a punt due to their early-season form. But not for me. I'm really looking forward to watching the boy Falcao tonight.
8.22pmIt's prediction time! In truth, I just cannot see how Atletico do not win this game. They have been playing some really nice football recently. It's 3-0 Atletico for me.
8.20pmSo, we are just about 10 minutes away from kickoff on this warm evening in Madrid. Let's hope that the football matches the weather.
8.18pmUpdate: Real Sociedad currently lead Real Zaragoza 2-0 with around 15 minutes to play.
8.16pmAtletico won both of the league clashes between the pair last season - a 3-1 win at home in December and a 1-0 win away in April. They are undoubtedly the favourites to do so once more, but as Real Madrid found out yesterday, you just never know.
8.14pmAtletico could move as high as fifth should they secure all three points this evening. Meanwhile, Rayo could move into second if they win by more than two goals.
8.12pmAtletico have been branded in some quarters as challengers for the league title this season. Is that a bit steep? Only time will tell, but these are the matches that they really need to win if they are to make their mark on La Liga this season.
8.10pmAtletico have one of the game's hottest strikers on display this evening - Radamel Falcao. I think it would be fair to state that the Colombian is now among the top strikers in world football. The 26-year-old has scored back-to-back hat-tricks in his past two games - following on from his 36 goals for the club last season.
8.08pmSo there we have it. No real surprises for either side. Although Adrian starts on the bench for the home side.
8.06pmTeams:
Atletico: Courtois; Godin, Luis, Juanfran, Miranda; Mario Suarez, Koke, Turan, Gabi; Falcao, Costa
Rayo: Dani; Tito, Casado, Amat, Adrian Gonzalez; Jose Carlos, Piti, Trashorras, Javi Fuego; Nicki Bille, Leo Baptistao
8.04pmThe team news for tonight's match is just filtering through. Rayo will be without their suspended goalkeeper Ruben, but Javi Fuego has reportedly overcome his recent injury to start.
8.02pmGood evening all! Here is to another night of La Liga action. Just some full-times to bring you from earlier today: Espanyol 3-3 Athletic Bilbao, Granada 1-1 Deportivo, Osasuna 1-1 Real Mallorca.
