Almeria vs Rayo Vallecano preview - Jemez: Almeria an important match - 7M sport

Almeria vs Rayo Vallecano preview - Jemez: Almeria an important match



Posted Sunday, November 30, 2014 by PA

Rayo Vallecano coach Paco Jemez believes Monday's trip to Almeria could be their most important match of the season so far as they look to put further daylight between themselves and the relegation zone.

Rayo's 1-0 win over Celta Vigo last time out ended a run of three demoralising defeats - during which spell they shipped 12 goals - and lifted them up to 11th spot.

That also left them four points above fourth-bottom Almeria, and securing back-to-back victories at the Estadio de los Juegos Mediterraneos on Monday would be another big step forward for the Madrid club.

Jemez told a press conference: "It's a very similar moment to last season, they are in a dangerous situation and for us it's very important.

"I've told the players that it's possibly the most important game that we've had, for the situation and moment that we're in.

"Winning would give us a sense of calm to look from mid-table and higher, and we don't want to let more opportunities slip us by."

Jemez, whose side won last season's corresponding fixture 1-0 thanks to a late goal, added: "It seems to me like it will be a game where we need a lot of concentration and a lot of attention, because we know how Almeria can do us damage.

"We cannot open up the game for Almeria because they have a lot of speed up front, and they know how to exploit that very well."

The good news for Rayo is that Almeria currently have the worst form of any team in La Liga, with the Andalusian outfit having picked up just one point from their last five games.

However, that point came at Granada last week to end a run of four successive defeats, and now Almeria coach Francisco Rodriguez is hoping they can follow that up with a first home win in almost seven months.

He told a press conference: "There's no anxiety heading into the Rayo Vallecano game, which we're treating as a challenge that we're really looking forward to because we want to win at home.

"It's very important to win at home again. Our fans are expecting it, although they are also intelligent and know how difficult it is to pick up three points in the Primera Division.

"Despite that though, we have plenty of reasons for needing the win, like getting away from the relegation zone, gaining confidence, giving satisfaction to our fans..."

Almeria are definitely without the suspended Ramon Azeez but Thomas Partey returns after his own ban while Corona and Verza are fit again.

Rayo are without Tono and Emiliano Insua through injury, while Raul Baena is banned.



Attention: Third parties may advertise their products and/or services on our website.7M does not warrant the accuracy, adequacy or completeness of their contents.
Your dealings with such third parties are solely between you and such third parties and we shall not be liable in any way for any loss or damage of any sort incurred by you.