Rayo Vallecano (15th, 35 pts) face RCD Espanyol (11th, 38 pts) in a crucial La Liga matchup. Rayo enters the match struggling with just one win in their last five games (1W-3D-1L), scoring 0.9 goals per match. Espanyol has fared slightly better with a record of 1W-2D-2L in their last five, averaging 1.0 goals scored but conceding 2.0 goals per game.

Rayo Vallecano's recent form has been disappointing, with their last five matches yielding only one victory against Elche (1-0), while they suffered losses to RCD Mallorca (0-3) and FC Barcelona (0-1). They also secured draws against Levante (1-1) and Sevilla (1-1), averaging just 0.6 goals scored and 1.4 goals conceded in this stretch. On the other hand, Espanyol has faced similar struggles, losing to FC Barcelona (1-4) and Getafe (1-2), while managing a goalless draw with Real Betis and a draw against Real Oviedo (1-1), averaging 1.0 goals scored and 1.6 goals conceded in their last five matches.

Rayo Vallecano currently sits 15th in La Liga with 35 points from 31 games, achieving 8 wins, 11 draws, and 12 losses, with an average of 0.94 goals scored and 1.23 goals allowed per game. Their home record is 4W-6D-3L, where they score an average of 1.0 goals per game. In contrast, Espanyol ranks 11th with 38 points from 31 matches, holding a record of 10 wins, 8 draws, and 13 losses, scoring an average of 1.19 goals while conceding 1.55 goals per game. Their away performance has been weaker, with a record of 3W-4D-6L.

• 1Rayo Vallecano's home average: 1.0 goals scored per game, 1.23 goals conceded per game
• 2RCD Espanyol's away record: 3 wins from 13 matches, averaging 1.19 goals scored
• 3Recent form comparison: Rayo Vallecano's last five games show 1 win and 3 losses, while Espanyol has 1 win and 2 losses