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Will Rayo Continue Their Sparkling Start Against Newly-Promoted Granada?

Rayo Vallecano will travel to Andalusia on Monday night to face newly-promoted Granada, looking to build on their impressive 2-0 victory over Almeria on the opening weekend.

Granada, meanwhile, suffered a 3-1 defeat to Atletico Madrid, but Paco Lopez’s side competed well for large spells and will be hopeful of picking up their first points of the campaign on home soil.

Rayo have won their last four league meetings with Granada, last losing to them in La Liga in 2013, and another victory would really set down a marker in the early stages of the 2023-24 season.

Impressive Rayo Have Strength in Depth

Rayo have made seven new signings this summer, adding real depth to their squad, and a number of them featured in the comfortable 2-0 success over Almeria on August 11.

New striker Randy Nteka netted Rayo’s second goal from the penalty spot, while new arrivals Nikola Maras, Florian Lejeune, Alvaro Garcia and Isi Palazon also impressed.

Head coach Francisco has quality options in every area of the field and was able to bring on the likes of Radamel Falcao, Unai Lopez and Bebe from the substitutes bench against Almeria.

The capital club have managed to keep the bulk of their key players from last term and the additions have provided extra motivation and competition for starting spots.

After finishing 11th last season, Rayo will have genuine aspirations of pushing for a European spot this time around, especially if they can make a strong start to the campaign.

Monday’s trip to Granada represents an excellent opportunity to build momentum before tough games against Real Madrid, Valencia and Real Sociedad.

Attacking Talent Throughout Rayo Team

Rayo have an abundance of flair players capable of providing ammunition for main striker Nteka, who arrived from Portuguese club Vitoria Guimaraes over the summer.

Captain Oscar Trejo is the creative fulcrum, operating behind the forward from the number 10 position, while Palazon and Alvaro Garcia provide width and delivery from the flanks.

Trejo chipped in with seven goals and seven assists last season and has developed an almost telepathic understanding with veteran striker Falcao.

The pair linked up superbly for the winning goal in Rayo’s opening day victory last season and can pose Granada plenty of problems.

Nteka offers more mobility than the ageing Falcao and his intelligent movement and penalty box presence were evident against Almeria.

The Cape Verde international scored 13 goals in Portugal’s Primeira Liga last season and looks ready to make the step up to La Liga level.

Rayo’s Style Will Test Granada

Rayo are one of the few teams in Spain’s top flight committed to playing on the front foot and their high-pressing style could prove too much for Granada.

The visitors attempted over 600 presses in the final third last season, the fifth most in La Liga, and they forced over 150 high turnovers, according to fbref.com.

Granada are still adapting to life back in the top flight and Rayo’s intensity could lead to mistakes which Francisco’s side can capitalise on.

The away side also possess plenty of speed on counter attacks, with Palazon and Alvaro Garcia providing outlets down the wings when possession is regained.

Nteka has the pace and directness to exploit any spaces left by Granada pushing players forward and this game has plenty of goals in it.

Five of the last six league meetings have featured over 2.5 goals and it would not be a surprise if both found the net on multiple occasions.

Granada Showed Promise Against Atletico

Although Granada suffered defeat on the opening weekend, there were plenty of positives for manager Paco Lopez to take from the performance.

His new-look side passed the ball neatly through midfield against one of La Liga’s best teams and matched Atletico for long periods.

Goalkeeper Rui Silva made some important saves, centre back Miguel Rubio impressed on his debut and striker Myrto Uzuni showed flashes of quality.

Uzuni has been brought in to fill the void left by loanee Jorge Molina’s return to Getafe and the Albanian international could play a key role against Rayo.

The home side are likely to have more possession than they did against Atletico and that should allow Uzuni to get on the ball in dangerous areas.

Granada’s Build-Up Play Must Improve

While Granada kept the scoreline respectable against Atletico, they didn’t create anywhere near enough clear-cut chances.

According to fbref.com, they managed just two shots on target and scored from their only ‘big chance’.

Improvement will be needed in their build-up play and ability to break defensive lines if they are to regularly threaten Rayo’s back four.

Jonathan Calleri has arrived on loan from Espanyol to provide another attacking option and he could be handed his debut on Monday night.

Calleri scored 11 goals in La Liga last season and his combination play and hold-up skills will hopefully bring the best out of those around him.

Midfield Creator Key For Granada

The central midfield trio of Angel Montoro, Maxime Gonalons and Ruben Rochina were neat and tidy against Atletico but lacked penetration going forward.

One of them will need to start making more positive forward passes if Granada are to feed their attackers effectively against Rayo.

Monitoring Rayo’s adventurous full backs will also be crucial to prevent the away side from overloading wide areas.

Alvaro Garcia and Ivan Balliu contributed two assists between them last season and keeping them quiet has to be a priority.

Prediction: Goals Galore in Away Win

This has the makings of an entertaining encounter between two attack-minded teams who are not afraid to commit players forward.

Granada’s neat possession play should allow them to create opportunities but Rayo’s superior quality in the final third is likely to be decisive.

Nteka and Trejo can expose any disorganisation in the home defence while Falcao has a superb record against Granada if introduced from the bench.

Paco Lopez’s side will contribute plenty to an open, end-to-end contest but Rayo’s flair players can ultimately be the difference in an away victory.

Prediction: Granada 2-3 Rayo Vallecano

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