Girona vs Rayo Vallecano Match Analysis & Prediction
17/01/2024 11:30 pm
Girona and Rayo Vallecano will battle it out for a spot in the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey when they meet at Estadio Municipal de Montilivi on Wednesday night.
The hosts have only made it to the last 16 of this competition once in their entire history, while Rayo Vallecano have never reached the final.
With Real Madrid absent from La Liga action as they claimed a 4-1 victory over Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final in Saudi Arabia on Sunday, Girona moved back to the top of La Liga by playing out a goalless draw away to Almeria.
This was only the second time Girona had failed to score in the league this season after their 3-0 defeat at home to Real Madrid in late September, and Michel will desperately be hoping it was a blip rather than a sign of regression to come.
As such, Wednesday’s cup tie against Rayo Vallecano could provide a welcome reprieve from the increasing pressure his players may be feeling from unexpectedly competing at the top of La Liga, ahead of hosting Sevilla on Sunday.
Despite Rayo Vallecano losing highly-rated 41-year-old Andoni Iraola to Premier League side AFC Bournemouth last summer, his replacement Francisco has managed to stabilise matters at Estadio de Vallecas.
Rayo returned to action in the New Year with an impressive 2-0 victory away to Getafe, moving them three points behind their opponents in the table into 11th place, and they maintain a healthy eight-point gap ahead of the relegation zone – with a game in hand on the bottom eight teams in the division.
Having reached the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey two seasons ago, Francisco will be determined to make history by taking them all the way to the final for the first time in the club’s history.
Girona vs. Rayo Vallecano Head to head
In the 20 previous meetings between these two teams, Girona have claimed six victories while Rayo Vallecano have won eight, and they have drawn in six. Rayo Vallecano have scored 27 goals and conceded 25 in the process.
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20/06/2021Girona0Rayo Vallecano2Segunda Division
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15/01/2022Girona1Rayo Vallecano2Copa del Rey
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29/12/2022Girona2Rayo Vallecano2La Liga
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18/03/2023Rayo Vallecano2Girona2La Liga
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11/11/2023Rayo Vallecano1Girona2La Liga
Girona Team News
Girona will be without Aleix Garcia after the midfielder’s dismissal against Almeria on Sunday. The 26-year-old was sent off 10 minutes before the end of normal time.
Michel could turn to the likes of Cristian Stuani, Viktor Tysgankov and Savio in attack after only using them from the bench against Almeria.
Girona's Last 5 Matches
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18/12/2023Girona3Alaves0La Liga
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21/12/2023Real Betis1Girona1La Liga
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03/01/2024Girona4Atletico Madrid3La Liga
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06/01/2024Elche0Girona2Copa del Rey
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14/01/2024Almeria0Girona0La Liga
Rayo Vallecano Team News
Rayo Vallecano will travel without Pathe Ciss and Bebe as they are away on international duty, while Oscar Tejo is also likely to miss out due to a muscle strain.
Having not played since their last victory in this competition against Huesca on January 6, Francisco could reward the same starting XI with an opportunity to reach the last eight.
Rayo Vallecano's Last 5 Matches
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11/12/2023Rayo Vallecano0Celta Vigo0La Liga
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15/12/2023Osasuna1Rayo Vallecano0La Liga
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19/12/2023Rayo Vallecano0Valencia1La Liga
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02/01/2024Getafe0Rayo Vallecano2La Liga
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06/01/2024Huesca0Rayo Vallecano2 ECopa del Rey
Girona vs. Rayo Vallecano: Odds and Predictions
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