🏏 Sun, 17 May 2026 19:00 CEST
Rayo Vallecano
vs
Villarreal CF
4-2-3-1 vs 4-4-2
Substitutes
Substitutes
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- A clash between 3rd-place Villarreal (69 points) and 9th-place Rayo (44 points). Villarreal have secured a Champions League place and sit eight points behind 2nd-place Real Madrid ahead of the final round. Rayo are 9th, level on points with 10th-place Athletic on goal difference, but are entirely clear of the relegation fight. With a run of W-D-W-D-D in their last five, including three straight draws, Rayo are showing a steady performance.
- In this season's first meeting on matchday 11, Villarreal won 4-0 at home. They dominated entirely and Rayo were powerless. But Rayo drew 1-1 away at Valencia on matchday 36, showing resilience with 14 draws in 37 games this season. Villarreal lost 2-3 at home to Sevilla on matchday 36 and have an inconsistent run of D-W-W-D-L in their last five.
- Rayo play a 4-3-3, with Spain international forward Sergio Camello (born 10 February 2001) leading the attack wearing the No. 10. An Atletico Madrid academy product with mobility and pace, he excels at runs in behind and the precision of his finishing. Alongside Brazilian forward Alemao (born 1 April 1998, formerly of Kyoto Sanga) and Jorge de Frutos (formerly of Levante), the front three look to mount lively attacks.
- Villarreal line up in a 4-4-2 with a strike pairing of Nigeria international forward Tani Oluwaseyi (born 20 October 2002) and Spanish forward Ayoze Perez (formerly of Leicester City and Newcastle). In midfield, Senegal international Pape Gueye (189cm, formerly of Sevilla and Marseille) and promising young Spaniard Alberto Moleiro (born 30 September 2003, formerly of Las Palmas) provide creativity. On the bench wait former Arsenal man Thomas Partey and former Spain captain Dani Parejo.
- Rayo's Unai Lopez (No. 17, born 30 October 1995) has experience at former club Real Sociedad and played in a 3-3 thriller against them at home on matchday 32. In that game Lopez battled as the midfield linchpin and showed his pride against his old side. Argentine veteran Oscar Trejo (born 26 April 1988) also has experience at former club Mallorca, with the experienced midfield underpinning the team.
- Villarreal boast the league's second-best attack with 67 goals, but have defensive concerns having conceded 43. Rayo are balanced in attack and defence with 37 goals and 43 conceded, but lack a cutting edge. Whether Villarreal's attack can break down Rayo's solid defence, or whether Rayo can take their few chances on the counter, will decide the match.