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2021/22 Spanish La Liga
Matchday 20
Rayo Vallecano v Real Betis
Campo de Futbol de Vallecas
Madrid, Spain
Sunday, 9 January 2022
Kick-off is at 15h00
Real Betis will be looking to strengthen their grip on third place in
La Liga when they face Rayo Vallecano at Vallecas on January 9.
Manuel Pellegrini's side have blown hot and cold this season, but still find themselves a point above defending champions Atletico Madrid, who are fourth.
Back-to-back defeats against Athletic Bilbao (3-2) and Celta Vigo (2-0) in their last two outings saw Betis lose ground to second-placed Sevilla, with the gap between the two standing at eight points.
The Andalusians had won their previous four matches in a row to put the pressure on their top-four rivals.
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There is unlikely to be any new arrivals during the January transfer window to aid them in their push for Champions League football, according to Pellegrini.
"I don't think we will have any involvement in the transfer window, the squad is complete. The players are responding to the demands... I don't think we'll be involved," The Chilean was quoted as saying by Marca.
Los Franjirrojos have been one of the surprise teams in Spain's top flight this term following their promotion from Segunda Division via the play-offs.
The Madrid outfit have won nine of their opening 19 encounters to sit sixth in the standings on 30 points, just three adrift of Betis.
Andoni Iraola's troops ended 2021 on a high courtesy of a 2-0 victory over Alaves on December 18, but kicked off the New Year with a 2-0 loss at neighbours Atletico Madrid.
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Iraola is not about to rest on his laurels, however, and insists they have more to achieve during the second half of the campaign.
"We have half a season left and that is what we focus on, on achieving the goal," he said. "Things are going well. But we still have points left to achieve that goal."
Head-to-Head (La Liga Meetings)
Matches - 26
Rayo Vallecano - 8
Real Betis - 10
Draws - 8
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