
Andoni Iraola will hope that his AFC Bournemouth side can win their first pre-season fixture back on English shores and upset his previous side when the Cherries face Rayo Vallecano.
Two draws in a Hollywood-fuelled trip to America saw Iraola's side given good tests against Wrexham and Arsenal, with plenty of positives and some areas to work on.
The Cherries are now back in familiar territory with the Premier League side scheduled to face La Liga duo Rayo Vallecano and Girona before the start of the new season.
Rayo Vallecano, on the other hand, are now managed by Iraola's previous assistant Iñigo Pérez and will look to give a good test to their ex-manager.
Los Franjirrojos are yet to pick up a win in four pre-season fixtures, but players such as Bebe and Isi Palazón will look to disappoint an expectant home crowd.
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Team News
AFC Bournemouth
Iraola's side will be without midfielder Tyler Adams, who is sustaining a back injury and Enes Unal, who is ruled out with a foot injury.
Hamed Traore and Justin Kluivert are yet to feature in pre-season, while Luis Sinisterra has also not yet been involved after returning from the Copa America.
New signings Daniel Jebbison and Dean Huijsen are in contention to play - the latter of whom joined the club in a £12.8m deal from Juventus on Tuesday.
Comparatively, Alex Paulsen will be unavailable for selection due to competing for New Zealand in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
Questions will also be asked over the inclusion and future of talisman Dominic Solanke as rumours swirl over a potential move to Tottenham.
Solanke, who was prominent in the Cherries' American tour, will be fit to face Rayo Vallecano.
However, with a £65m release clause set in place for the giants of the English game, a change of colours could be in the mind of the 26-year-old.
Rayo Vallecano
The Spanish side travel to the English south coast with the absence of any injuries to key players.
Experienced winger and summer signing Adri Embarba is set to be involved after rejoining the club on loan.
Vallecano mainstays Álvaro García, Unai López and Andrei Ratiu all look set to feature at the Vitality Stadium.
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Likely Lineups
Neto; Smith, Zabarnyi, Senesi, Kerkez; Cook, Scott; Tavernier, Billing, Semenyo; Solanke.
Rayo Vallecano
Cárdenas; Rațiu, Mumin, Lejeune, Espino; Embarba, Palazón, Valentín, Ciss, García; Camello.
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Key Players
AFC Bournemouth - Antoine Semenyo
One of last season's club players of the season and one of the club's most talented attacking players, Semenyo will be key going forward for the Cherries.
The Ghanaian bagged himself his first goal of pre-season in Bournemouth's 1-1 draw with Arsenal.
Dynamic, powerful, and skilful, the Ghana international recorded 10 goal contributions in the Premier League last season and will look to kick on in pre-season with even more of a bang.
Semenyo will likely start on the left-hand side and with Luis Sinisterra and Jaidon Anthony looking to compete for the position, the 24-year-old will need to stake his claim before the start of the Premier League season.
Rayo Vallecano - Álvaro García
The 31-year-old winger has been an integral part of Vallecano's success in recent years and will be no stranger to the man in the home dugout come 3PM on Sunday.
The Spaniard recorded seven goal contributions in La Liga last season, while he totalled 10 contributions as Iraola guided Rayo Vallecano to an 11th-placed La Liga position in the 2022-23 season.
The creative midfielder averaged 1.41 key passes and 4.33 crosses per 90. Additionally, García also took 1.34 shots per 90 minutes.
García will need to be at his best for the Spanish side to thrive, and with a possible match-up against attacking full-back Milos Kerkez, the experienced attacker may look to exploit gaps in behind the Bournemouth backline.
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Match Details
Where is the match being played?
After returning from America, the Cherries will host Rayo Vallecano at the Vitality Stadium, in Dorset, England.
What time is kick-off?
AFC Bournemouth vs Rayo Vallecano kicks off at 15:00 BST for those in the UK.
Where can I watch?
Cherries fans will be able to watch the game through the club's website as a match pass will be available for £5.00.

