Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty ImagesHaving spent last season on loan at Almeria, particularly impressing in the second half of the campaign, Partey is now showing his capabilities in a far better squad. His surging runs, close control and ability to curl a shot from range make him an interesting alternative to most of the Atleti midfield—he can play as a box-to-box option or, as was the case late on against Levante, just behind the striker. There is big competition for places in Atleti's midfield, not just from established stars such as Koke and Gabi, but now also from the impressive Saul and new arrivals Matias Kranevitter and Augusto Fernandez. Partey can only perform to his best and let his manager Diego Simeone appreciate his efforts—something clearly beginning to be the case if reports in Marca are to be believed, with the boss instructing the board to turn down bids for the player, including one from Watford for €9 million.
Atletico Madrid - Rayo Vallecano: Live Stream & on TV today Match Facts. Atletico have won their last 9 home matches against Rayo Vallecano in all
Things at least looked up last time out, with Rayo twice going ahead before drawing 2-2 at home to Real Sociedad at the weekend. Atletico cruised through the last round in the cup, beating Reus Deportiu 3-1 on aggregate, despite going behind early in the first leg. They also went top in La Liga at the weekend thanks to the win over Levante, but recent games have relied heavily on late winners rather than sweeping all before them. Team NewsRazvan Rat may be fit to return for Rayo, having not featured since November due to injury. Fellow defender Antonio Amaya is still a doubt, while Tono and Patrick Ebert are long-term casualties.
Partey scored the winner for Atleti late on at the weekend, finally breaching Levante's defence to beat the bottom club 1-0 and send his team top of the table after Barcelona had drawn at Espanyol. That came after he had also provided a late assist to help break down Rayo—Wednesday night's opponents—in league play in the last game of 2015, and the only goal of the second leg against Reus Deportiu in mid-December.
Tiago remains sidelined with a broken leg, but there are no other major injury worries. Possible LineupsRayo (4-2-3-1): Yoel; Chechu Dorado, Ze Castro, Diego Llorente, Quini; Raul Baena, Jozabed; Lass, Pablo Hernandez, Bebe; Manucho. Atletico (4-3-3): Miguel Angel Moya; Jesus Gamez, Stefan Savic, Lucas Hernandez, Guilherme Siqueira; Augusto Fernandez, Gabi, Partey; Angel Correa, Luciano Vietto, Oliver Torres.
Goalkeeper David Cobeno is close to a return after back surgery, but Juan Carlos is still expected to retain his place on the bench as backup goalkeeper to the on-loan Yoel Rodriguez. Atletico have left five familiar names out of their squad for the first leg against Rayo, with defenders Juanfran, Diego Godin and Filipe Luis omitted as well as midfielder Koke and top-scoring forward Antoine Griezmann. Squad list (1/2): Moyá, Oblak, Siqueira, Savic, Gámez, Lucas, Giménez, Kranevitter, Augusto, Gabi... #RayoAtleti #GoAtleti — Atleti English (@atletienglish) January 5, 2016Squad list (2/2): Óliver, Saúl, Thomas, Carrasco, Fernando Torres, Jackson Martínez, Correa and Vietto #RayoAtleti #GoAtleti — Atleti English (@atletienglish) January 5, 2016Both new signings in midfield are available, however, with Augusto Fernandez and Kranevitter expected to feature at some point.
Date: Wednesday, January 6Time: 9:05 p. m. GMT/4:05 p. ETVenue: Vallecas, MadridTV Info: TVE La1 (ESP), beIN Sports en Espanol (USA)Live Stream: LaLigaTVCopa (UK), beIN SPORTS CONNECT (USA)The TeamsRayo Vallecano made it past Getafe in the last round of the Copa del Rey thanks to an away-goals victory, with Lass Bangoura netting in the second half of a 3-1 loss in the second leg to send his team through, with the tie finishing 3-3 on aggregate. Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty ImagesTheir recent form has been woeful; just one win in the last nine—the first leg against Getafe—and that includes a 10-2 loss against Real Madrid and the late 2-0 reversal against Atleti.
Atleti's newest breakthrough hope isn't going to get chances to start every week, so the Copa is a vital arena for him to prove his worth. Partey has already helped to beat Rayo in recent weeks off the bench; starting this time and putting in a good display throughout the 90 minutes will push him closer to more game time in a side capable of competing on all fronts this term.
Atletico Madrid vs Rayo Vallecano live score - AiScore Atletico Madrid are playing Rayo Vallecano at the La Liga of Spain on October 18. The match will kick off 19:00 UTC. ScoreBat is covering Atletico Madrid