Rayo Vallecano vs. Elche – News and Probable Lineups

Elche aims to secure back-to-back victories in Spain’s top league as they take on Rayo Vallecano this coming Friday evening.

The visiting team currently sits 17th in the La Liga standings, just one point ahead of Mallorca, who are in 18th place, while Rayo occupies the 14th spot, only three points clear of this encounter’s opponents.

Match overview

Rayo has managed a total of seven wins, 11 draws, and 11 losses over 29 league matches this term, accumulating 32 points that leave them in 14th place, merely four points above the relegation zone as they head into the concluding stretch.

The capital team last celebrated a league victory on March 4, when they triumphed over Oviedo with a 3-0 scoreline, and they entered the March international break following a 1-0 loss to Barcelona.

Los Franjirrojos are still competing in the Conference League, having recently secured their place in the quarter-finals, where they will face AEK for a chance to reach the semi-finals, with the first leg of their matchup scheduled in Madrid on April 9.

However, Inigo Perez’s squad cannot afford to lose focus in La Liga, as they have yet to complete their efforts for survival.

At home, Rayo has only experienced two defeats in their 14 league outings this season, having drawn on eight occasions, which is the highest in the league.

In contrast, Elche will come into this fixture with a recent 2-1 victory at home against Mallorca, which was a significant result in their fight to stay in Spain’s top tier.

Before facing Mallorca, Eder Sarabia’s team had not won in 2026, but they overcame an early deficit to claim all three points, with goals from Rafa Mir and Tete Morente, which propelled them out of the relegation zone and into the 17th position.

Los Franjiverdes are currently just one point above the bottom three, but securing another win on Friday would significantly boost their chances of remaining in the league.

This season, Elche holds the title for the poorest away record in Spain’s top division, having garnered only four points from 14 matches and failing to secure a single win.

Historically, Los Franjiverdes have faced Rayo 46 times, winning 28 times compared to Rayo’s 12 victories, while only six matches have ended in a draw.

Rayo Vallecano La Liga form:

DDWDDL

Rayo Vallecano form (all competitions):

WDWDLL

Elche La Liga form:

DLLLLW

Team News

Rayo will be without Diego Mendez due to injury, while Ilias Akhomach, Fran Perez, and Nobel Mendy will undergo late fitness assessments.

The home side will also miss Pathe Ciss, who received a milestone yellow card during the team’s recent 1-0 loss to Barcelona.

Alvaro Garcia has been in fine form, netting 12 goals and providing nine assists in 43 appearances, and he is expected to feature prominently in attack.

Regarding Elche, on-loan Barcelona defender Hector Fort may return from a shoulder injury but is unlikely to be in the starting lineup.

Victor Chust, Grady Diangana, and John Donald are all doubtful for this match, with fitness tests pending to confirm their availability.

Rafa Mir is the top scorer for the team this season, having scored eight times, and he is anticipated to play a key role in the attacking setup.

Rayo Vallecano probable starting XI

Battle; Ratiu, Lejeune, Felipe, Chavarria; Valentin, Lopez; Akhomach, Palazon, A Garcia; De Frutos

Elche probable starting XI

Dituro; Petrot, Affengruber, Bigas; Morente, Villar, Febas, Aguado, Valera; Mir, Rodriguez

With only six draws recorded in the previous 46 encounters between these two teams, a stalemate appears possible here; Rayo has ended eight of their 14 home matches this season in a draw, achieving merely two wins, suggesting that another deadlock might be likely.