Form and Line-up
Rayo Vallecano recovered from a crushing defeat to Mallorca and have taken seven points from their last three league games, keeping clean sheets in wins over Getafe (2:0) and Espanyol (1:0). At home the hosts look excellent, with only two defeats in 17 rounds and a seven-match unbeaten run. The home team play quite boldly at the Estadio de Vallecas, scoring 21 goals and conceding just 14, whereas away from home their goal difference is 14:27. The only downside is Isi Palazon's seven-match suspension in La Liga; without their main creative spark (three goals and three assists) it will be difficult for the side.
Key numbers for Rayo Vallecano:
Rayo Vallecano have won the second half in five of their last seven La Liga matches at the Estadio de Vallecas.
The Bees have scored fewer than two goals in 13 of their previous 17 league games.
Inigo Perez's team have received nine red cards in La Liga (the worst record in the division).
Probable line-up (4-3-3): Augusto Batalla — Ivan Balliu, Florian Lejeune, Nobel Mendy, Joshua Vertrudt — Sergio Camello, Pathe Ismael Ciss, Gerard Gumbau — Jorge de Frutos, Alemao, Pacha
Absentees: Luiz Felipe (injury), Isi Palazon (suspension)
Form and Line-up
Girona are in dreadful form. After drawing 1:1 with Real Madrid, the team have suffered three defeats in a row, including losses to two opponents from the lower half of the table (1:2 to Valencia and 0:1 to Mallorca). Away from home things are even worse: between mid-December and January the visitors put together three consecutive wins, but the other 14 league trips ended in dropped points (seven draws and seven defeats). The main problem for the club is their defence: 51 goals conceded this season is the seventh-worst record in the league, while a goal difference of -15 underlines a lack of creativity in attack (only 36 goals scored).
Key numbers for Girona:
Girona have drawn the first half in five matches in a row.
The visitors have conceded fewer than two goals in 13 of their previous 17 matches.
In six of their last seven games, the team coached by Michel have received fewer than four yellow cards.
Probable line-up (4-2-3-1): Paulo Gazzaniga — Arnau Martinez, Alejandro Frances, Vitor Reis, Daley Blind — Fran Beltran, Axel Witsel — Viktor Tsygankov, Azzedine Ounahi, Joel Roca — Claudio Echeverri
Absentees: Juan Carlos, Donny van de Beek, Portu, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Vladyslav Vanat, Abel Ruiz (injuries), Bryan Gil (suspension)
