Football
Rayo Vallecano vs Celta Vigo Preview: Odds, Tips and Prediction
Venue: Estadio de Vallecas Kickoff Time: 20:00 (UK Time) The festive season is starting to fade away and the focus for many clubs now shifts to the end of the season. Rayo Vallecano and Celta Vigo will both be hoping for a top half finish in La Liga – but without a shred of consistency, this might seem to be a bridge too far. SportsBoom guides you through this encounter, complete with everything you need to land some of your weekend bets. We also include our Rayo Vallecano vs Celta Vigo prediction.
Iago Aspas//Getty Images
Pre-Game Odds and Win Probability: An Evenly Poised Affair
Home: 9/5 (2.8) – 34%
Draw: 21/10 (3.1) – 31%
Away: 17/10 (2.7) – 35%
Head-To-Head Record
Last five meetings (La Liga)
31/03/2024: Celta Vigo 0–0 Rayo Vallecano
11/12/2023: Rayo Vallecano 0–0 Celta Vigo
11/03/2023: Celta Vigo 3–0 Rayo Vallecano
10/11/2022: Rayo Vallecano 0–0 Celta Vigo
05/02/2022: Celta Vigo 2–0 Rayo Vallecano
Rayo Vallecano Current Form – WWDDD
Vallecano have struggled to find consistency in La Liga this season but are still within touching distance of ensuring they finish the season in the top half. Whilst it has been widely covered that they field on average the oldest team in the league, they also enjoy the services of a fairly young boss.
Inigo Perez is still seemingly searching for his best XI in the Spanish capital, but he hasn’t been shy of making some big changes. Players like Raul de Tomas and Pelayo Fernandez have struggled to find playing time under the young boss – albeit they have also been nursing acute injuries in the process.
Key Players to Watch
- Jorge De Frutos: The Spanish attacking player has been a stalwart for Vallecano this season. He has started for his side on 18 occasions in all competitions and has found the back the net three times. His movement upfront has been vital for Vallecano, but his creativity has also seen him contribute through his assists.
- Unai Lopez: Lopez seems to divide opinion at Vallecano. He is an unapologetic and aggressive player who has an incredible defensive presence in their midfield. Indicative of the number of yellow and red cards he has racked up – he will no doubt right in the thick of the action here.
- Isi Palazon: He has been another complete attacking player for Vallecano this season. Scoring and assisting, he has been massive for the Spanish side and found a lot of favour with his manager. Defensively he has the work rate of a midfielder and has shown that he isn’t afraid to get his body behind the ball and aid in their defensive system.
Rayo Vallecano Team News
The hosts have a full squad available for this one.
Celta Vigo Current Form – LWWLW
The visitors have enjoyed playing at home this season, but they will be looking to bring that form to Madrid when they visit Rayo Vallecano. Celta Vigo have struggled to put games to bed and interestingly this season, they have won just once against teams ahead of them on the league table.
This is a fixture they have a decent historical record in, and they will no doubt be hoping that history repeats itself again on Friday night. Celta have not lost to their hosts in their most recent encounters and they will be hopeful for much of the same here.
Key Players to Watch
- Iago Aspas: The experienced attacking player has been at the heart of much of their attacking ability this season and he will be looking to add to his tally here. Aspas has scored six goals so far this season – leading the pack for Celta Vigo – and they will be hoping he is once again in inspired form.
- Oscar Mingueza: Oscar Mingueza has enjoyed something of a breakout season this season. The young Spaniard has grown into the Celta midfield and has begun showing his creative intentions alongside his attacking ability. Has leads for number of assists and will be important for their attacking endeavors here.
- Ilaix Moriba: At just 21 years old, Moriba has continued to show why he deserves a place in this Celta Vigo team. He has now started 10 games and already has the most successful tackles made for Celta. His work rate in the middle of the field has been incredible and his ability to turn defence into attack proves more and more important for his side.
Celta Vigo Team News
Jalison (muscle injury), Javi Manquillo (knock) and Mihailo Ristic (muscle injury) are all a doubt for Celta Vigo.
Predicted Line-Up
Rayo Vallecano: 4-2-3-1
Batalla, Chavarria, Hernandez, Lejeune, Ratiu, Lopez, Ciss, Embarba, Palazon, Garcia, Nteka.
Celta Vigo: 3-4-3
Guaita, Rodriguez, Starfelt, Alonso, Carreira, Beltran, Moriba, Mingueza, Duran, Iglesias, Gonzales.
Suggested Bets
These are our betting stratergies for this upcoming La Liga encounter.
Draw: It is difficult to split these two teams. They have both struggled to find consistency in their performance and neither have shown they can kill off close games. Back the draw. 21/10 (3.1) with Betway.
Over 2.5 Goals: The inability to keep a clean sheet by either side brings goals into the equation here. We suspect they will both be looking to go forward with pace and intention and given the pressure expected on the final third, we think backing over 2.5 goals could be a shrewd bet. 12/10 (2.2) with Pinnacle.
Both Teams to Score: Possibly a bit more of a riskier bet for those who are happy to have the punt – back both teams to score for a more valuable output. 8/10 (1.8) with Betway and 1xBet.
Value Bets
BTTS + Over 2.5 Goals: For extra value, combine the two suggested bets and you could get as much as 69/50 (2.38) with BetWinner and Pinnacle
1st Half Double Chance (Rayo Vallecano/Celta Vigo): Back one of these two sides to take an early lead in a somewhat frantic game. We think the first half will end and one of them will be ahead. 31/50 (1.62) with Betway and BetWinner.
Win/Draw Double Chance (Draw/Celta Vigo): We think the away team’s form is good enough to justify the fact that they come away with something here. Celta has the more balanced team and so we are happy to back them on the win/draw double chance. 11/25 (1.44) with BetWinner
Prediction: Both Teams to Score – Yes
Given the fact that neither side has been able to find any sort of consistency, it is difficult to confidently back a winner here. However, these two teams have struggled to keep a clean sheet this season and they both hold attacking threats – we think backing both teams to score is the play here.
Ryan Liberty is an experienced sports writer whose articles have featured in some of the biggest sports publications in South Africa. With a strong understanding of all major sports and an in-depth understanding of betting, Ryan consistently delivers insightful content. He's also known for his ability to break down complex topics into engaging, reader-friendly pieces.
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