Espanyol will be bidding to build on their impressive result against Atletico Madrid when they continue their La Liga campaign at home to Rayo Vallecano on Saturday evening.
The Catalan outfit picked up their first point of the season away to Atletico on Wednesday, while Rayo will enter this contest off the back of a 2-1 defeat to Barcelona on Tuesday.
Match preview
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Espanyol fell just short in their opening two matches of the 2024-25 La Liga campaign, losing 1-0 to Real Valladolid in their opener before going down 1-0 to Real Sociedad last weekend.
The Catalan outfit put in a much-improved performance against Atletico on Wednesday, though, and they were able to claim a point in a goalless draw with Diego Simeone's side.
Espanyol sit 18th in the table, but not too much can be read into the standings at this stage, and the promoted outfit will instead be focusing on their clash with Rayo Vallecano, with the team having the chance to enter the September international break off the back of their first win of the season.
The White and Blues secured a return to La Liga through the 2023-24 Segunda Division playoffs, and they have managed to make seven signings this summer, including Alejo Veliz on loan from Tottenham Hotspur.
Martin Braithwaite has been their standout departure, and a lack of goals early this season will be slightly concerning, with Manolo Gonzalez's side yet to find the back of the net in Spain's top flight.
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Rayo Vallecano, meanwhile, will enter the match off the back of a 2-1 defeat to Barcelona; Unai Lopez sent the capital side ahead in the ninth minute of the contest, but Pedri levelled for the visitors, before Dani Olmo came off the bench to win it in his first appearance for the Catalan giants.
It was another strong performance from Rayo, though, and Inigo Perez's side have made a solid start to this season, beating Real Sociedad 2-1 away in their division opener, before sharing the points in a goalless draw with Getafe in the second game week of the new campaign.
Rayo Vallecano, who are currently eighth in the table, have made six signings this summer, including James Rodriguez, with the Colombia international arriving on a free transfer after his exit from Sao Paulo.
Los Franjirrojos are in their fourth straight season at this level of football, but they finished 17th last term and will be determined to avoid being in a relegation battle in 2024-25.
Rayo Vallecano have won three of their last four league games against Espanyol, including a 2-0 victory on their last trip to RCDE Stadium in August 2022, but they were beaten 2-1 at home by the Catalan side last time out.
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Team News
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Espanyol will once again be without the services of two players on Saturday, with Leandro Cabrera and Edu Exposito unavailable for selection due to fitness problems.
The Catalan outfit did not suffer any fresh issues against Atletico, though, and it would therefore not be a surprise to see the same XI take to the field for this clash.
That said, goalkeeper Joan Garcia is currently being heavily linked with Arsenal, and with the Spaniard potentially leaving ahead of this match, there could be a spot between the sticks for Fernando Pacheco.
As for Rayo, Diego Mendez remains on the sidelines through injury, but the capital side did not suffer any new problems in their home defeat to Barcelona last time out.
Sergio Camello made his first start of the season against Barcelona, and the forward, who scored twice for Spain in the Olympic final, should continue in the final third of the field.
Head coach Perez could name an unchanged side on Saturday, with a debut for new signing James Rodriguez potentially coming off the bench.
Espanyol possible starting lineup:
Pacheco; Tejero, El Hilali, Calero, Kumbulla, Romero; Kral, Gragera, Aguado; Veliz, Puado
Rayo Vallecano possible starting lineup:
Cardenas; Balliu, Lejeune, Mumin, Espino; De Frutos, U Lopez, Valentin, A Garcia; Camello, Palazon
We say: Espanyol 1-1 Rayo Vallecano
Espanyol will certainly have been boosted by their point against Atletico, but Rayo have made a solid start to the campaign, and we are finding it tough to back them to lose here. We fancy Espanyol to score their first league goal of the campaign, but the hosts might have to settle for a share of the spoils.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Matt Law
