Looking to return to winning ways following a streak of poor results, Villarreal will welcome Rayo Vallecano to Estadio de la Ceramica on Wednesday night for a La Liga clash.
The Yellow Submarine suffered a home defeat at the hands of Real Betis last time out, whilst Los Franjirrojos managed a draw against European champions Real Madrid.
Since returning from a 3-0 win over Deportivo Alaves prior to the international break, Villarreal have endured a difficult run of results on the domestic stage, with Wednesday's hosts now five games without success across La Liga and Copa del Rey heading into the final moments of 2024.
The Yellow Submarine witnessed their losing run extend to three matches on Sunday afternoon, when goals either side of the half-time whistle from Vitor Roque and Giovani Lo Celso sealed a 2-1 win for Real Betis at Estadio de la Ceramica despite Alex Baena's late consolation.
With two more top-flight battles ahead of them prior to the winter break, Villarreal are currently occupying sixth position in the La Liga standings, one point behind Mallorca in fifth and a mammoth seven points back from Athletic Bilbao, who lie in the lowest of the Champions League spots.
Following an 11-goal term at Real Betis during 2023-24, Ayoze Perez has represented a shining light for the Yellow Submarine during the opening months of the 2024-25 campaign, with the former Leicester City attacker bagging 10 goals and providing two assists across 13 matches in all competitions.
Since losing to Athletic Bilbao on the first day of December, Rayo Vallecano have enjoyed a three-game unbeaten streak across Copa del Rey and La Liga, picking up wins over Unionistas de Salamanca and Valencia on the road, before holding Spanish champions Real Madrid to a draw on Saturday evening.
Los Franjirrojos raced into a two-goal lead after 36 minutes against Los Blancos courtesy of strikes from Unai Lopez and Abdul Mumin, although the hosts on the night had to snatch a point in the second period after Federico Valverde, Jude Bellingham and Rodrygo found the net for the visitors.
After collecting a hard-fought point against the Champions League holders on the weekend, Rayo Vallecano are sitting in 13th position in the La Liga rankings, six points above Espanyol in the highest of the relegation spots and six points behind Wednesday's opponents in sixth.
Allowing just six strikes into their net across eight away matches in the top flight so far, Los Franjirrojos should prove to be a tough nut to crack for Villarreal in this clash, with only Atletico Madrid (5) and Real Sociedad (2) conceding fewer goals in La Liga outings.
After a feisty match with Real Betis on the weekend, Villarreal have a number of first-team stars suspended due to yellow card accumulation, including Baena, Kiko and Dani Parejo.
The Yellow Submarine are also without the services of Alfonso Pedraza, who is making a slow return from a cruciate ligament injury sustained in May.
The hosts will also be unable to call upon the talents of winger Nicolas Pepe, with the former Arsenal attacker out until the New Year due to a thigh issue.
Also expected back in La Liga action at the beginning of 2025, Rayo Vallecano's Pelayo Fernandez will miss Wednesday's clash because of a hamstring injury.
Los Franjirrojos' options at the top end of the pitch are restricted by the absence of Raul de Tomas, who has missed the last four matches owing to illness.
Villarreal possible starting lineup:
Junior; Bernat, Albiol, Bailly, Cardona; Pino, Gueye, Barry, Cabanes; Moreno, Perez
Rayo Vallecano possible starting lineup:
Batalla; Ratiu, Lejeune, Mumin, Chavarria; Ciss, Lopez, De Frutos, Palazon, Embarba; Nteka
We say: Villarreal 1-2 Rayo Vallecano
With a number of key suspensions, we are expecting Villarreal to struggle on home soil as their winless streak threatens to extend into worrying territory.
Rayo Vallecano will be buoyed after snatching a point off the champions on the weekend, so we are envisioning an away success for Los Franjirrojos.
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