Eibar vs Rayo Vallecano preview - Martinez expects tough Eibar test
Posted Thursday, April 02, 2015 by PA
Rayo Vallecano defender Nacho Martinez expects a stern test when his side plays at strugglers Eibar on Friday.
The Madrid outfit has won three of its last four league games to climb up to 11th place in the standings.
A 1-0 triumph over Malaga in the last round lifted Rayo 10 points clear of the drop zone and just two wins away from securing another season in Spain's top flight.
"We want to continue to climb up in the standings," Martinez told Spanish sports newspaper Marca. "This game is an opportunity to get closer to our aim.
"But we will need to be fully focused because we expect a very difficult game at Eibar."
Paco Jemez's Rayo have not won on the road since January 17 and have lost their last four away games since.
"We need to impose our play from the start," Martinez said. "Eibar is a dangerous side and had a solid first half of the season.
"Results have not gone their way in recent months and they will be determined to take three points against us."
Eibar are without a win in their last 10 league games.
The Basque side held Granada to a goalless draw last time out to see its eight-match losing streak end.
The outcome in Andalusia lifted Eibar to 14th place, three points clear of the relegation zone.
"This point gives us morale to look ahead with optimism," Eibar coach Gaizka Garitano said.
Lack of goalscoring has been Eibar's main problem, with Garitano's men having found the back of the net just once in their last seven league games.
The hosts will be without defender Raul Navas and striker Manu del Moral, both out injured.
Rayo will have to overcome the absence of Brazilian forward Leo Baptistao.
Baptistao, who has scored seven goals, has been ruled out for six weeks with a groin injury.
With Baptistao out injured, Jemez could hand striker Miku his club debut on Friday.
The Venezuela international has yet to make his first appearance with Rayo since joining the club in February from Qatari side Al-Gharafa.
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