Fifth placed Villareal host Rayo Vallecano who are ninth in La Liga. The home side are currently in the Europa League qualifying position but have a higher target than that. Before the weekend fixtures, they are on the same number of points as fourth placed Atletico Madrid. Villarreal are in good form with 13 points from their last five league games. Their only recent loss was when losing 3-2 at home to Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey on January 19 after leading 2-0 in the second half. Home form has been excellent this season in La Liga. Six out of eight have been won with the only loss being to Mallorca last November. They are bidding to win a fourth successive home league game since the season resumed. That includes a win over Real Madrid. The last five home league games against Rayo Vallecano have all been won.
The visitors are only two points behind the Europa Conference League qualifying spot. However, their hopes of making it into European competition next season have been hit by losing two of their last three La Liga matches, both coming on home soil. Vallecano have just one win in their last five La Liga fixtures but away form hasn't been too bad. They are unbeaten in their last four away league games but the last three have been against sides in the bottom half of the table. Nine away league matches have seen three wins, three draws and three defeats. A fourth loss is on its way here.