Rayo vs Espanyol: Camello and Roberto meet in Butarque

Rayo Vallecano and Espanyol face each other at Butarque (Leganés), another “exile” for the Vallecano side before returning to Vallecas after the international break, as MARCA reports. The game also arrives with the stands tightened: the club said about twelve hours before kick-off that tickets would be sold only to season-ticket holders because the match had been labelled high-risk.

Camello vs Roberto

The key duel is up front. Sergio Camello and Roberto Fernández are the two most in-form Spanish strikers in the league: MARCA says Camello has scored six goals in the first five matchdays, while Roberto has five. The momentum backs it up—Camello is coming off a goal at the Bernabéu, and Roberto registered a brace vs Osasuna.

From the Rayo perspective, they’re coming off a tough night at the Bernabéu where they conceded four. Even so, MARCA highlights that they played aggressively and coped well with the early pressure. Beñat San José’s team will see the match as a step before the return to home ground gets closer.

Espanyol changes and absences

Espanyol, coached by Manolo González, arrives buoyed by their win in Pamplona, which the article frames as giving the team calm and confidence on the road. MARCA also includes the coach’s message from his press conference: regardless of the challenge, Espanyol’s goal is to collect the nine points that were up for grabs across the week.

Rotation is expected. MARCA points to several absences: Puado and Kike García (both out for the long term) and Jofre Carreras due to physical issues. The rest of the squad is available for González to pick the strongest XI.

Prediction

MARCA’s call is Rayo Vallecano 2-1 Espanyol, with the match looking especially defined by the current scoring form of its two Spanish forwards.