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Recommended bets
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Rayo Vallecano have won their last three meetings with Espanyol, including a 3-2 Segunda División victory in Catalonia last season. However, Rayo are winless in 13 La Liga games, half way to Levante’s top-flight record set earlier this season.
Under 2.5 goals is 8/13.
Under 2.5 goals and both teams to score NO is 1/1.
Espanyol to win and both teams to score NO is 11/4.
Raúl de Tomás is 15/4 to break the deadlock and 13/10 to scored at home to Rayo in back-to-back seasons.
Match preview
Two newly-promoted clubs, both on course for safety, go head-to-head in Cornellà de Llobregat.
On Sunday, Vicente Moreno’s side looked like earning an impressive point away to Atlético Madrid when Raúl de Tomás equalised in the capital.
However, deep into stoppage time, Atleti were awarded a penalty, for a dubious handball, which was duly dispatched in the 99th minute.
Déjà vu because, back in September, Atlético had also beat Espanyol 2-1 in Catalonia, once again scoring nine minutes into additional time.
This defeat means Espanyol haven’t won on the road since New Years’ Eve, but have claimed all three points from their last three home matches.
Can they extend that streak to four with a victory here?
Rayo Vallecano meanwhile sat in a Champions League place on Christmas Day, but still haven’t won in La Liga in 2022.
Los Franjirrojos were beaten again on Saturday, going down 1-0 at Mendizorrotza against bottom of the table Alavés.
So, since the turn of the year, Andoni Iraola’s side have lost nine of 13 matches, drawing the other four.
This means los Vallecanos are now 14th, five points above the drop zone, needing to, belatedly, find a win from somewhere to guarantee safety.
Everything points towards a home win at RCDE Stadium.
Espanyol team news
Raúl de Tomás scored his 15th La Liga goal of the season last weekend, meaning he’s netted 41% of Espanyol’s goals.
Right-wing-back Óscar Gil went off at half time on Sunday so Aleix Vidal could deputise for him.
Wǔ Lěi scored a last-minute winner in Espanyol’s last home game so will be hoping to start this one.
Rayo Vallecano team news
Radamel Falcao has scored twice against Espanyol in his career but won’t be adding to that as he’s not played since 26 February due to injury.
Sergi Guardiola will continue as the lone front man in his absence.
Iván Balliu is suspended, following his red card on Saturday, so Mario Hernández will come in at right-back.
La Liga table:
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