MADRID, 9 Nov. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Rayo Vallecano hosts RC Celta this Thursday at the Vallecas Stadium (7:00 p.m.) on matchday 14 of LaLiga Santander, in a duel of contrasts between a euphoric Rayo after knocking down Real Madrid and a Celta in the red zone, while Valencia receives Real Betis in Mestalla in search of recovering sensations.
Vallecas vibrated during the electrical storm that befell Real Madrid, struck down 3-2 with a final goal by Óscar Trejo from the penalty spot (67′) that Carlo Ancelotti’s men were unable to match. A prestigious victory, on a night when almost everything went smoothly for them.
Now, Rayo is eighth in the table, with 21 points and only 3 (within a winning shot) from the third place defended by an Athletic Club that has already played, and won, on this day. Good prospects of continuing to climb positions thanks to their three consecutive victories.
Without the coach, Andoni Iraola, who will serve a suspension after being sent off against the Whites, Rayo face a new challenge. The one to continue adding but, now, against a Celta that is second to last and that arrives in need after six days without knowing the victory, and with five defeats in between.
The last one came last Saturday, in Balaídos, against an Osasuna (1-2) that was better. The new Celtiña coach, the Portuguese Carlos Carvalhal, could not avoid a new defeat and his debut left doubts. The same ones that he will try to dissipate in Vallecas, where the victory would be completely redeeming.
On the other hand, at Mestalla, Valencia CF hosts Real Betis (20.00) with the need to return to winning ways. Gennaro Gattuso’s men started the season playing better than the results reflected. But the truth is that this feeling lasts too long and they haven’t won since 1-2 at El Sadar in early October.
Since then, draws against Elche (2-2), Sevilla (1-1) and Real Sociedad (1-1), the latter on the last day at the Reale Arena, and defeats against Mallorca (1-2) and FC Barcelona (0-1), both in a Mestalla that appeals to return to being in full harmony with the team and celebrate the long-awaited results.
Opposite, yes, there will be a rival who arrives wanting to avoid that party ‘che’. Real Betis, fifth in the table and with 8 points more than Valencia (eleventh), has just drawn against Sevilla FC in the Seville derby last Sunday at the Benito Villamarín (1-1).
After taking the lead with an own goal by Jesús Navas, the Betis watched as Gudelj equalized for the Seville in a derby with three sent off. Leaving behind the tension of a duel between neighbors, Betis seeks to go to the ‘break’ for the World Cup in the European zone and, for this, it would be good to score points so as not to depend on what their pursuers do.
In fact, a victory would make them beat Athletic Club and make sure they go to the league break in ‘Champions’ places. The Andalusians go to Mestalla without goalkeeper Claudio Bravo, with discomfort in the soleus, nor the sanctioned Borja Iglesias and Fekir, who saw the red card against Sevilla and leave the black-and-white depleted.
Rayo Vallecano – RC Celta. Munuera Montero (C.) 19.00.
Valencia CF – Real Betis. Ortiz Arias (C.) 20.00.
Real Madrid – Cadiz CF. Soto Grado (C.) 21.30.
