Verdict: Under 2.5 goals
Best Odds: 8/11
Bookmaker: Dachbet
Two camps who are desperate to widen their buffer over the drop zone on Monday night, Rayo Vallecano will welcome Valencia to Madrid.
Rayo Vallecano
Starting with the hosts, while Rayo Vallecano might have gained a string of plaudits from across Spain’s elite last season as they booked a maiden European adventure, the Little Thunderbolts have struggled to find any kind of stability this time around. Last seen earlier in the week suffering a Europa Conference League collapse on foreign soil as they fell to a 2-1 loss away at Slovan Bratislava, Inigo Perez’s men have recorded just a single victory from any of their previous five appearances across all competitions. However, despite gaining a reputation for their issues on the road, Vallecano will certainly be excited to make a return to the Spanish capital here. Heading into November’s international break with a gritty 0-0 stalemate at home against local rivals and 15-time European champions Real Madrid, Monday’s hosts have recorded 10 points from their previous four showdowns at the Campo de Futbol de Vallecas across all formats.
Rayo Vallecano Team News
Shown a late La Liga red card away at Real Oviedo last weekend, Senegal international Pathe Ciss will miss out through suspension on Monday night. Likewise, yet to make a single appearance this season and still dealing with a long-term knee injury, ex-Guimaraes defender Abdul Mumin remains on the sidelines.
Now entering his fourth campaign in the Spanish capital, one-time Newcastle star Florian Lejeune will start at the heart of Vallecano’s defence here. Bagging a consolation Europa Conference League strike away against Slovan Bratislava earlier in the week, summer recruit and ex-Valencia starlet Fran Perez could be handed a start against his former club.
Valencia
As for the visitors, marking their return from November’s international break with a 1-0 victory at home against Levante last weekend, Valencia will be desperate to use that result as a platform to build on. However, although Los Ches might have embarked on an immediate resurge following Carlos Corberan’s arrival 12 months ago, the Bats suddenly find themselves at the heart of another La Liga relegation scrap. Getting November underway with a 4-0 drumming at the hands of Real Madrid, the former West Brom boss could find some mounting pressure on his shoulders. Getting Monday’s showdown underway holding just a two-point buffer from slipping into the drop zone, Valencia have mustered just a sole victory from any of their last eight straight La Liga showdowns – a run that stems back to September 20th.
Valencia Team News
Not featuring since the start of October and still sidelined with a hamstring injury, Valencia will once again be without one-time Lyon defender Mouctar Diakhaby. However, despite missing out against Levante last weekend, Los Ches are hopeful that Eray Comert will be able to play some part on Monday night.
Bagging the winner last week and recording a first La Liga strike since the end of September, one-time Real Madrid youngster Hugo Duro will lead the line. Reportedly attracting plenty of Premier League interest, 22-year-old Javi Guerra will start in the middle of the park.
Rayo Vallecano vs Valencia Key Factors to Consider
- When Rayo Vallecano and Valencia last met for a La Liga showdown back on April 19th, Monday’s opponents played out a 1-1 stalemate in the Spanish capital.
- The Little Thunderbolts have registered 10 points from their last four home fixtures across all competitions.
- Rayo Vallecano have recorded a clean sheet in three of their previous four matchups at the Campo de Futbol de Vallecas.
- Despite landing a 1-0 win at home against Levante last time out, that is the only victory that Valencia have registered from their previous eight consecutive La Liga appearances.
- Los Ches have failed to find the net in four of their last five domestic showdowns on the road.
Conclusion
Two camps who are desperate to widen their buffer over the drop zone on Monday night, we could be set for a nail-biting La Liga showdown from the Campo de Futbol de Vallecas. Watching Rayo Vallecano register a clean sheet in three of their previous four matchups in the Spanish capital across all competitions, it should also be noted that Valencia have shown some real attacking issues on either side of November’s international break. With Los Ches drawing a blank in four of their first six La Liga matchups away from the Camp de Mestalla, chances could come at a premium.
Verdict: Under 2.5 goals
Best Odds: 8/11
Bookmaker: Dachbet
- Soccer News Like
- Be the first of your friends!
