Rayo Vallecano vs Real Betis preview - Rayo looking for strong finish

Posted Saturday, April 19, 2014 by PA

Rayo Vallecano defender Nacho admits the team are aiming for a strong finish to the season, with a win over Real Betis on Sunday all but securing another year of top-flight football for Paco Jemez's men.

When the two teams met at the start of December, the game was billed as a bottom-of-the-table clash, with Rayo one place above basement side Betis.

Four months on and little has changed at Betis, who still prop up the table, although they are working with their third coach of the season.

Rayo, meanwhile, are in the more comfortable position of 14th in the Primera Division after taking 17 points from their last eight games, and victory on Sunday will see them reach 40 points for the season with four games still to go.

"This game is very important for us because we can practically seal survival and get those 40 points that will put our minds at ease," Nacho told the club's official website.

"But we aren't thinking about that, instead we are focusing on doing as well as we can until the end of the season. Of course there have been some bad moments for us this season, but we are on a good run and we have to try and take advantage of that and keep it up."

Although Betis have stagnated while Rayo have progressed since their last meeting, Nacho does not expect the game to be straightforward.

"We cannot think that it's going to be easy because, even though they are at the bottom of the league, they are a very difficult team to face," he said.

"We have to try and win from the first minute, with lots of respect and lots of enthusiasm. If we don't play with intensity they have great players who can turn the game on its head at any moment and beat us."

Nacho is set to retain his place in the team due to the continued suspension of Razvan Rat, who will be serving the second game of a four-match ban for head-butting Celta Vigo striker Charles.

Midfielder Seba Fernandez made his long-awaited return from a severe knee injury in Sunday's 2-2 draw at Espanyol, coming on as a late substitute, and the former Malaga man could make his first start since September.

Betis are certain to be without defender Juan Carlos, who was dismissed in the 2-0 defeat to local rivals Sevilla last weekend, while forward Cedrick Mabwati and defender Antonio Amaya are both doubtful due to injury.

Gabriel Calderon's side look destined for a return to the Segunda Division, 10 points from safety with five games remaining, but forward Alvaro Vadillo insists the team will continue the fight.

He told reporters: "As long as it's mathematically possible we will keep trying, standing up to be counted just like we have in the last few games, playing with our hearts."