Last season was quite unique for La Liga as all three promoted teams from the prior season stayed up with relative ease. Girona’s likeness to new boys Huesca cannot be ignored, after finishing runners-up to Levante in the Segunda season during the 2016/17 season, Girona made their first steps into the top flight and blew the competition away ending the campaign in 10th. Huesca are now in the same situation after earning promotion to the top-flight for the first time ever. Spanish yo-yo club Levante had a solid if unspectacular season finishing 15th after earning promotion whilst … [Read more...]
Rayo Vallecano vs Barcelona: Preview, Predicted Lineups and Prediction
Venue: Estadio del Rayo Vallecano Date: 03/02/2016 Kick-off: 08:00 PM GMT / 3:00 PM EST Match Rayo Vallecano News Rayo Vallecano have not been able to consolidate on their promising season from last year and are set to be embroiled in a battle against the drop during the current campaign. Quite astonishingly, Vallecano have drawn five of their last seven matches with the identical score line of 2-2 and despite their lack of victories, manager Paco Jémez would gladly take another 2-2 draw on Thursday night as they prepare to square off against a rampant Barcelona outfit. Injury Doubts: … [Read more...]
Is Alberto Bueno worthy of a Spanish call-up?
Spain face Ukraine and the Netherlands in the next fortnight as European football takes a short break for the international schedule to resume. One man who won't be happy to see a pause in proceedings is Rayo Vallecano striker Alberto Bueno who has been in scintillating form since the turn of the year. The former Derby man, who will turn 27 next weekend, is the top scoring Spaniard in La Liga with 15 strikes for the season. He's scored in five of his last seven games, including an incredible four in the win over Levante at the end of February. With national team selection just one week … [Read more...]
Gareth Bale Needs to Impress on Real Madrid Return Against Rayo Vallecano
The world's most expensive footballer picked a costly time to pick up a knock. Injured after returning from international duty with Wales, Gareth Bale missed Real Madrid's wins against Levante, Liverpool, Barcelona, UE Cornella and Granada. He returned to action as a second-half substitute against Liverpool on Tuesday night, but by then the pressure had already been lifted. Carlo Ancelotti's side scored 19 goals during the five wins Bale missed and Marca readers have since claimed this is Los Blancos' best side of all-time—suggesting competition for places is fierce. … [Read more...]
Ones to Watch in La Liga – Getafe to Rayo Vallecano
Part III of our look ahead to the new season focuses on some goalkeepers, Colombians and loan stars from the Premier League looking to impress. Getafe Getafe struggled for goals last season as they eked out their place in La Liga for another year, but boss Cosmin Contra has again promised that the goals will return to the club. He might be right too if Alvaro Vazquez's pre-season form is anything to go by. The former Swansea loanee bagged an impressive brace in Getafe's 3-1 win over Cagliari last week and could be the talisman the club needs to ensure another season of safety. Angel Lafita, … [Read more...]
Saul Own Goal As Liverpool Look On
Liverpool representatives were in Vallecano last night, but transfer target Saul Niguez scored an own goal as Rayo Vallecano lost 4-2 at home to Atletico Madrid. It was a welcome return to winning ways for Atleti, after two La Liga draws in a row. The win put them level on points with Barcelona at the top, one point above a resurgent Real Madrid. The three way battle should continue until the last round of the season. Atletico were full of attacking intent from the start. Turkish international Arda, having a fine season on the opposite flank to Koke, was menacing Vallecano at every … [Read more...]
Liverpool Pull Off Saul Niguez Coup
Liverpool have landed a major transfer coup by pulling off the capture of the hottest prospect in Spanish football – Atletico Madrid's Saul Niguez. Niguez, currently on loan at Rayo Vallecano, had been tipped to join David Moyes' Manchester revolution, but there was also known interest from Arsenal and Real Madrid. The news from Merseyside is that Brendan Rogers has beaten them all to the 19 year old's signature. The Spanish Under-21 international has been a revelation at Vallecano this season. With a maturity beyond his years, he has grabbed games by the scruff of the neck and has been the … [Read more...]
Manchester United Lead Race For Niguez
Saul Niguez is the hottest prospect in Spanish football at the moment, and it seems that Manchester United have taken the lead in a three way race to secure his signature. The 19 year old midfielder is currently plying his football on loan at Rayo Vallecano, having been sent there to gain first team experience by Atletico manager Diego Simeone. Niguez has grabbed the chance with both hands and has been the outstanding player in a Vallecona side struggling at the foot of La Liga. Niguez has scored one goal in his sixteen appearances for the Vallecanos, but it his passing vision and composure … [Read more...]
Punto Cuarto – the race for the fourth La Liga spot
The football season has witnessed a lot of ups and downs for many teams. La Liga is no different. With Barcelona having virtually sealed their 22nd domestic crown and the Madrid clubs vying for the 2nd and 3rd spot (automatic qualification to the UEFA Champions League), the fight for the 4th spot (punto cuarto) is all set to be a nail biting affair. … [Read more...]
Leo ensures Rayo aren’t missing Michu
Having scored 17 goals in 2011/12 to save Rayo Vallecano's troubled Spanish La Liga status in their debut season, Michu was always set to leave the minnows of Vallecas. Fans bode no grudges towards their former saviour but felt almost consigned to imminent relegation after staving off the drop by only a matter of seconds just months before. Michu had been the surprise of the season, having joined for free from Celta Vigo the summer before, and stunned La Liga with a stream of goals that ensured Rayo were allowed to tread water for ample time, but the 2012/13 season would be near impossible to … [Read more...]