Rayo Vallecano will be bidding to stretch their unbeaten run in La Liga to four matches when they welcome Mallorca to Estadio de Vallecas on Saturday afternoon.
Francisco's side will enter the contest off the back of a goalless draw with Cadiz, while Mallorca held the champions Barcelona to a 2-2 draw in their last match.
Match preview
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Rayo will bring a three-game unbeaten run in La Liga into this contest, picking up five points in the process, beating Alaves 2-0 after the international break before drawing with Villarreal and Cadiz.
Francisco's side have won three, drawn two and lost two of their seven league matches this season to collect 11 points, which has left them up in sixth position in the table during a strong start.
Rayo have finished 12th and 11th in their last two campaigns back at this level of football and will be aiming for a similar spot this term, but it is not impossible to imagine them pushing for the top seven.
Los Franjirrojos have actually lost each of their last three La Liga matches with Mallorca, including a 2-0 defeat in the corresponding game during the 2022-23 campaign.
Rayo have won just one of their last five league games against Saturday's opponents, who showed their quality by claiming a share of the spoils against the champions Barcelona on Tuesday evening.
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Mallorca twice led against Barcelona, with Vedat Muriqi making the breakthrough in the eighth minute of the contest before Raphinha levelled the scores in the latter stages of the first period.
Abdon Prats then sent Javier Aguirre's side back ahead in the final stages of the first half, before Fermin Lopez made it 2-2 in the 75th minute, with the spoils ultimately being shared.
Mallorca have picked up six points from their seven league matches this season, which has left them in 15th position in the table, with their only La Liga success in 2023-24 coming away to Celta Vigo on September 16.
The Pirates have finished 16th and ninth in their last two seasons since being promoted back to the top level, and it is difficult to know exactly what to expect from them this term due to their inconsistency.
Mallorca certainly have quality in the final third of the field, with Muriqi and Prats netting seven times between them this season, but it remains to be seen whether they can produce enough strong defensive performances to improve on their position in the table.
Team News
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Rayo will be without the services of Randy Nteka on Saturday due to a muscular problem, while Khalid Abdul Mumin is suspended following his red card against Cadiz.
The team did not pick up any more fitness problems against Cadiz, though, and it is expected to be largely the same side that takes to the field for the first whistle of this contest.
Mumin's spot in the middle of the defence is likely to be taken by Aridane Hernandez, while Isi Palazon could be introduced into the attacking unit which should include both Jorge de Frutos and Sergio Camello.
Mallorca, meanwhile, will be without the services of Antonio Raillo due to an ankle injury, while the visitors have a couple more fitness concerns at this stage of the season.
Toni Lato remains a doubt, having missed out against Barcelona, while Pablo Maffeo was replaced in the latter stages of the first half against Xavi's side and will miss out regardless as he was sent off late on while not on the field.
Jaume Costa could come into the side as Maffeo's replacement, while Sergi Darder is also expected to be recalled, but it should otherwise be the same XI that took to the field for the first whistle against the champions.
Rayo Vallecano possible starting lineup:
Dimitrievski; Balliu, Aridane, Lejeune, Espino; Ciss, Valentin; De Frutos, Trejo, Palazon; Camello
Mallorca possible starting lineup:
Rajkovic; Gonzalez, Valjent, Nastasic, Copete, J. Costa; Darder, S. Costa, D Rodriguez; Muriqi, Prats
We say: Rayo Vallecano 2-1 Mallorca
Rayo's start to the season has been impressive, picking up 11 points from seven matches, and we are backing the home side to secure another win here. Mallorca conceded five in their last away game against Girona, and they might be left disappointed once again on the road.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Matt Law
