Prediction: Atletico Madrid vs Rayo Vallecano

Verdict: Atletico Madrid win to nil

Best Odds: 8/5

Bookmaker: Dachbet

Looking to extend on their recent domestic flurry in midweek, Atletico Madrid will welcome Rayo Vallecano to the Metropolitano Stadium on Wednesday night.

Atletico Madrid

Starting with the hosts, although Atletico Madrid might have suffered Super Cup heartbreak at the hands of bitter local rivals Los Blancos on January 10th, Diego Simeone’s men have come roaring back in an eye-catching fashion. Last seen over the weekend putting in another rugged performance as they secured a 2-0 victory against Valencia, the former Spanish champions have won all of their previous four domestic appearances across all competitions. Sat firmly in pole position to claim another top-four finish, Atletico should be smelling the chance to make another statement in midweek. Rightfully tipped as a standout contender here, Simeone’s side will also be excited by their continued success on home soil. In fact, continuing on from last season, Los Colchoneros have collected a remarkable 58 points from their previous 20 La Liga showdowns at the Metropolitano Stadium. Storming their way to a Champions League knockout stage ticket last month, Atletico should find the mood in their camp at a recent high.

Team News

All still dealing with respective injury issues, Atletico Madrid will be unable to call upon the trio of Thomas Lemar, Vitolo and former Chelsea defender Cesar Azpilicueta on Wednesday night. Settling for a spot on the bench against Valencia over the weekend, Spanish skipper Alvaro Morata could be handed a full recall here.

Notching 11 La Liga strikes this season and breaking plenty of Atletico records, French talisman Antoine Griezmann will have a leading role to play in midweek. Saul Niguez could replace Argentina international Rodrigo de Paul at the heart of Simeone’s midfield.

Rayo Vallecano

As for the visitors, while Rayo Vallecano might have been last seen snatching a 0-0 stalemate away at Real Sociedad, Francisco Rodríguez’s side are seeking some welcomed stability. Crashing out of the Copa del Rey on January 17th following a routine 3-1 loss at the hands of Girona, the Little Thunderbolts almost find themselves sat in La Liga limbo. Signing off 2023 with a toothless 1-0 defeat at home against Valencia, the Madrid-based outfit face a heavyweight challenge when they travel across the capital on Wednesday night. In fact, Vallecano have managed to muster just a single victory from any of their previous 11 straight La Liga appearances – a run that stems all the way back to October 22nd. Gaining a recent reputation for their struggles in the final third, it should also be highlighted that Rodríguez’s men have remarkably drawn a blank in six of their last seven top-flight showdowns.

Team News

Both away at this month’s Africa Cup of Nations representing Senegal and Cape Verde respectively, Rayo Vallecano will be unable to call upon the duo of Pathe Ciss and Bebe on Wednesday night. Likewise, academy graduate Diego Mendez still remains on the sidelines with a muscle injury.

However, after serving a one-match suspension last weekend, 31-year-old midfielder Alvaro Garcia is free to make a timely return here.. Struggling to find any kind of clinical edge in the final third, one-time Atletico Madrid icon Radamel Falcao could be handed a full recall at the Metropolitano.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Atletico Madrid and Rayo Vallecano met for their reverse La Liga showdown on August 28th, Wednesday’s hosts stormed their way to an iconic 7-0 romp.
• Continuing on from last season, Atletico have collected a remarkable 58 points from their previous 20 La Liga showdowns at the Metropolitano Stadium.
• Rayo Vallecano have registered just a single victory from any of their previous 11 La Liga appearances.
• Likewise, the midweek guests have drawn a blank in six of their previous seven top-flight appearances.
• Atletico are unbeaten in all of their last 15 straight showdowns against Vallecano across all competitions.

Conclusion

Storming their way to that stunning 7-0 romp when they met Vallecano back on August 28th, Atletico will simply be seeking a repeat performance here. Appearing to have turned a welcomed corner and winning all of their previous four domestic appearances across all competitions, Simeone’s side are sat firmly in the driving seat to punch another Champions League ticket in 2024. Gaining a fearsome reputation for their continued success at the Metropolitano, we are expecting what should be a routine home victory for the former Spanish champions in midweek.

Verdict: Atletico Madrid win to nil

Best Odds: 8/5

Bookmaker: Dachbet