Verdict: Atletico Madrid win
Best Odds: 6/11
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
In desperate need of a response on Wednesday night, Atletico Madrid will welcome local rivals Rayo Vallecano to the Metropolitano.
Atletico Madrid
Starting with the hosts, coming under serious scrutiny over the summer as they failed to book a Club World Cup knockout stage ticket over in the United States, Atletico Madrid have continued to show some serious issues since opening up the 2025/26 campaign. Getting proceedings underway with a shock 2-1 loss away at Espanyol on August 17th, Diego Simeone finds some major pressure on his shoulders. Getting their Champions League adventure underway with a last-gasp 3-2 defeat away Liverpool, Atletico have mustered just a single victory from any of their first six appearances across all competitions. Eventually forced to settle for a downbeat 1-1 stalemate against Mallorca over the weekend, Atletico are desperately seeking an essential boost when they return to the Metropolitano on Wednesday night.
Atletico Madrid Team News
Shown a straight red card away at Mallorca over the weekend just 10 minutes after coming off the bench, Norwegian international Alexander Sorloth will miss out through suspension here. Yet to make a single appearance so far this season, Jose Maria Jimenez remains on the sidelines with a muscle issue.
Despite missing from the penalty spot on Sunday and registering just a single La Liga strike so far this season, ex-Manchester City marksman Julian Alvarez will play a leading role in attack. Completing a free switch from Barcelona over the summer, former Aston Villa loanee Clement Lenglet will start at the back.
Rayo Vallecano
As for the visitors, although Rayo Vallecano might have made real history last month as they booked a famous Europa Conference League ticket thanks to a 5-0 aggregate win against Belarusian outfit Neman, the Little Thunderbolts have struggled to find any real domestic stability. Despite opening the 2025/26 campaign with a 3-1 victory away at Girona, Inigo Perez’s men have failed to Ian any of their last four La Liga appearances on either side of September’s international break. Despite dreaming of the chance to collect a heavyweight scalp against their bitter local rivals on Wednesday night, Vallecano hold a nightmare record against Atletico. In fact, Perez’s side have failed to win any of their last 18 consecutive showdowns against Los Rojiblancos – a run that stems all the way back to February 2013.
Rayo Vallecano Team News
Both still dealing with respective injury issues, Rayo Vallecano will travel across the capital without the duo of Abdul Mumin and former Marseille defender Luis Felipe on Wednesday night. Completing a late summer switch from Mexican outfit Pachuca, Alemao could make his full La Liga debut here.
Now entering his fourth campaign with the Little Thunderbolts, one-time Newcastle defender Florian Lejeune will partner Pathe Ciss at the heart of Perez’s defence. Earning a first senior cap for Spain during September’s fortnight break, Jorge de Frutos will play a leading role in the final third.
Atletico Madrid vs Rayo Vallecano Key Factors to Consider
- When Atletico Madrid last welcomed Rayo Vallecano to the Metropolitano back on April 24th, Simeone’s men collected a routine 3-0 victory.
- Atletico are unbeaten in all of their previous 18 consecutive meetings against the Little Thunderbolts across all competitions.
- However, Wednesday’s hosts have registered just a single win from any of their first six appearances across all formats.
- Five of Rayo Vallecano’s last six appearances across all formats have finished with under 2.5 goals.
- Despite their glaring issues on the road, Atletico Madrid have registered 16 points from their last six La Liga showdowns at the Metropolitano.
Conclusion
Mustering just a single victory across any competition so far this season, Atletico Madrid have a tremendous amount of pressure on their shoulders here. However, landing a routine 3-0 victory when they last welcomed their local rivals to the Metropolitano back on April 24th, Simeone’s side should take some solace from their domestic success on home soil. Continuing on from last season, Atletico have mustered 16 points from their previous six La Liga showdowns in front of their own supporters.
Verdict: Atletico Madrid win
Best Odds: 6/11
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
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