MADRID, 4 Dic. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Rayo Vallecano will seek to continue in the European positions in its match against Espanyol (2:00 p.m.), which will open the Sunday menu of the Santander League, in a very attractive duel between two newly promoted teams, while Valencia and Celta, in Balaídos, will try to leave the middle of the table on matchday 16.
At the Vallecas stadium, Andoni Iraola’s team will try to extend the good run that has led them to dream of an early stay and to be able to afford the ‘luxury’ of something else. Only one defeat in the last eight games – against Real Madrid – endorses the franjirrojo team for a stake they face at home, an unbalancing condition this season.
Rayo have won all their home games, with the exception of the draw with Celta, including FC Barcelona, which also went through the box in Vallecas. Madrid will host their former player Raúl de Tomás, in what will be a very special match for the brand new Spanish international. The parrots arrive in the capital without Keidi Bare, Óscar Gil, or David López.
In addition, both teams will try to make this Sunday’s league game serve to forget their difficult Cup commitments during the week. The Catalans beat Solares-Medio Cudeyo by the minimum (2-3), while those from the Madrid neighborhood needed penalties to beat Guijuelo away from home.
For its part, Valencia visit Celta at 9:00 p.m. with the aim of reencountering the victory after three consecutive draws in the domestic championship. Their coach, José Bordalás, assured that they need to “change the dynamics” and be able to take a leap in the standings. The ‘ches’ are eleventh with 19 points, five from the European zone.
Celta, for their part, won easily in the Copa del Rey (0-5), with the same comfort as the Valencians, but they are going through a better moment with four games without losing, one of them against Barça, and they are at three points of the box ‘che’. A great opportunity to hunt down your opponent and permanently distance yourself from the relegation places.
The Galicians face the clash without the Brazilian Thiago Galhardo, injured in the ‘KO’ tournament, while Valencia will play in Vigo without the suspended Foulquier and Diakhaby, nor with the injured Gabriel Paulista.
In addition, Elche and Cádiz will meet at the Martínez Valero (4.15pm) in a fundamental match for both in the fight to avoid relegation. The people of Elche, with Francisco making his debut in the league after his comfortable triumph in the Cup against Leioa, cannot fail against a direct rival who arrives mired in a losing streak.
Álvaro Cervera’s pupils thrashed Villa Fortuna last Thursday (0-7) in what was an oasis after conceding 8 goals in the last two league games. Atlético and Getafe were their executioners, two defeats that put them in relegation places in the SmartBank League. This Sunday they will try to hunt down Elche and get out of the well at the expense of their rival.
Pastore, Bigas and Josema will be out in the local team, while the Andalusians will continue without being able to count on José Mari, or Garrido but they already have Martín Calderón back, who enjoyed a few minutes in the Cup and was even able to score a goal.
For its part, in the Ciutat de València, Levante continues to seek its first victory of the season in the League that allows it to dream of abandoning the ‘red lantern’ of the First Division after a tough first third of the championship for Javier Pereira’s players, substitute for Paco López last October.
The Granota team, which retaliated in the Cup against Huracán (0-8), cannot afford more mistakes in their confrontation with Club Atlético Osasuna, which is going through a relaxed moment in tenth position. Those of Arrasate will not be able to count on Kike García, who has been dropped at the last minute due to injury.
–SUNDAY SCHEDULE OF DAY 16 OF LALIGA SANTANDER.
-Sunday 5 December.
Rayo Vallecano – Espanyol 14.00.
Elche – Cádiz 16.15.
Raise – Osasuna 18.30.
Celta – Valencia 21.00.