The Madrid team managed to win a tough battle with Osasuna for eighth place in La Liga last season. However, they have slightly lost ground this season, though there is no threat of relegation to the Segunda. Their opponent won the national championship last spring after a five-year break. Now, Drita still have a chance to retain the title, but there are several rivals who look just as strong for now.
The Spaniards started the tournament quite successfully. They beat Neman twice in the qualifiers and began the main round with home wins over Shkëndija-79 and Lech, and drew away with Häcken. In December, however, they lost in Bratislava to Slovan. Against Jagiellonia, they managed a narrow 2-1 away victory.
The Kosovo side passed Differdange in the Champions League but then lost twice to Copenhagen. They exited the Europa League quickly as well: 2-3 and 1-3 against FCSB. In the Conference League, they faced Differdange again and beat the Luxembourg side both times. In autumn, after draws with KuPS and Omonia, they defeated Shelbourne and Shkëndija-79. Against the strongest opponent, AZ Alkmaar, they could do nothing even at home, losing 0-3.
Rayo Vallecano have won five out of seven league matches
The team scores an average of 2.14 goals and concedes 1.0
Drita have won five of their last seven games
The club scores an average of 0.8 goals and concedes one in return.
Rayo Vallecano (possible lineup): Batalla – Espino, Vertraud, Lejeune, Balliu – Gumbau, Siss, Francisco Perez, Palazon, De Frutos – Aleman.
Drita (possible lineup): Maloku – Ovuka, Pelumbi, Beytulai, Krasniqi – Sheyi, Broja, Dabikjai, Limaj, Ajzeraj – Manaj.
