The Yellow Submarine host a Madrid-based side in excellent form this Saturday at 2pm CET
Villarreal CF will be looking to maintain their fantastic start to the LALIGA EA Sports campaign. To do so, Marcelino’s men will need to overcome Rayo Vallecano, their next opponents, who visit the Estadio de la Cerámica this Saturday at 2pm CET.
The Yellows head into the game in fine form after winning the derby against Valencia (0-2) at Mestalla and cruising past CD Ciudad de Lucena (0-6) of the Tercera Federación in the First Round of the Copa del Rey. Two victories that have filled the squad with confidence and momentum. Marcelino’s side currently sit third in the table with 20 points from their opening ten league fixtures.
As for Rayo, they are also enjoying an excellent spell. They come into the clash in Vila-real full of confidence, having done their job in the Copa del Rey by defeating Yuncos (1-6) and recording three straight league wins over Real Sociedad (0-1), Levante (0-3) and Alavés (1-0). Those victories have lifted Iñigo Pérez’s team to seventh place as they look to consolidate their position in the European spots.
Since taking charge, Iñigo Pérez has left a strong mark on Rayo, with them becoming known for their bold, attacking football that is entertaining to watch. The Madrid outfit are a tough team to beat, with technically gifted players such as Isi Palazón, Álvaro García and Jorge de Frutos. The latter, a Spain international, has already scored four goals in LALIGA and is currently enjoying a fine run of form.
Several Villarreal players are also on a goalscoring streak. Among them is Tani Oluwaseyi, who netted a hat-trick in the Copa del Rey win over Ciudad de Lucena, and Buchanan, who is the Yellows’ top scorer with four goals.
Only one Rayo win in Vila-real in the last 24 years
Villarreal CF have historically dominated their home meetings with Rayo Vallecano, winning eight of the last ten encounters between the two sides at the Estadio de la Cerámica. The Yellows even put together a run of seven consecutive league victories against the Madrid side between 2003 and 2021.
The only defeat during that time came in 2023, when Rayo surprised the Submarine, then coached by Setién, with a solitary goal from Camello. At that time, the visitors were managed by Iraola.
Last season, the two teams drew 1-1 in Vila-real in a match marked by the early sending-off of Willy Kambwala, which left the Yellows with ten men for over an hour. Despite that, the Submarine managed to equalise through a goal from Ayoze Pérez.
