Two teams coming off streaks will be in action at the Campo de Futbol de Vallecas in La Liga on Friday evening, Rayo Vallecano takes on Celta Vigo.
Rayo have lost only one of their last six overall and sit 12th in La Liga while Celta, situated 11th in the top tier of Spanish football, have won four of their five most recent fixtures.
Rayo play at the conservatory league level in La Liga with an accumulated total of 22 points gained from 18 games played and lost six games, drawn seven games but won five games this season to occupy the 12 th position on the log, though they are seven points away from the relegation zone and three points away from the top seven.
The capital outfit are currently on the best run of form in the league having played four league games and not confronted in defeat in their last six games in all competition having beaten Valencia 1-0 before holding four consecutive draws against Real Madrid, Villarreal and Real Betis at headquarters.
Inigo Perez’s side began 2025 with a 3-1 victory against Racing Ferrol in the Copa Del Ray competition which ended mid this week; however, focus shifts all towards La Liga games and the Penalosos will be hoping to begin the year on a high note regarding Spanish Football’s top tier league.
Rayo has been somewhat less successful at their stadium during this season of the tournament, managing just nine points in the eight encounters they have hosted, and that is a part of their game that they will have to address in the second half of the tournament.
In the last seven league games against Celta, Franjirrojos side played without a victory However, both matches that the teams played in the 2023-24 season ended in 0-0 draw.
Celta however played Copa del Rey match on January 5 and qualified to the last 16 stage of the competition after beating Racing de Santander of the Segunda division 3-2.
The Sky Blues are currently on a winning streak, having defeated Real Sociedad 2-0 in their most recent league game on December 21. They have now won four of their past five games in all competitions.
With a record of seven victories, three draws, and eight losses from 18 games, Claudio Giraldez's team is presently in 11th place in La Liga with 24 points, one point behind seventh-place Real Sociedad.
With 27 goals and 28 goals given up, Celta has been a fun team to watch in La Liga this season. If they can improve defensively in the second half of the season, a run for European spots is definitely possible.
The Sky Blues have placed 13th in their last two Premier League seasons, but they were sixth in 2015–16, the year they advanced to the Europa League group stage.
Jorge de Frutos scored twice in Rayo's 3-1 Copa del Rey victory over Racing Ferrol in their opening game of 2025, and Rayo head coach Perez is anticipated to reward the Spaniard with a start tonight.
The capital team's roster is in good form overall, although Raul de Tomas will miss out for the hosts once more, while Pelayo Fernandez is doubtful.
Borja Iglesias and Pablo Duran are also slated to start on Friday, while Alfon Gonzalez, who scored twice against Racing de Santander in the cup last time out, is anticipated to stay in the final third of the field.
Although head coach Giraldez picked a good team for the Copa del Rey, there will be changes for this game. Ilaix Moriba is expected to return to the middle of midfield, and Sergio Carreira will start as the right-sided wing-back.
