Almeria vs Rayo Vallecano prediction: SPAIN: LaLiga betting tips on match 2023-08-10 17:30.
AlmerĂa gave their fans a rollercoaster ride last term, netting the final goal of the entire 2022/23 La Liga (LL) campaign to grab the point they needed to secure their top-flight status in a nail-biting finale against Espanyol (D 3-3). But after selling a key striker for the third summer out of four (Darwin NĂșñez in 2020, Umar Sadiq in 2022 and now El Bilal TourĂ©), building on last seasonâs 17th-place finish could be tricky.
At least new manager Vicente Moreno has had a full pre-season with his new side, and they are still investing the funds from TourĂ©âs sale to Atalanta with Real Madrid midfielder Sergio Arribas a key target. A slow start therefore wouldnât surprise, especially as AlmerĂa have won none of their last five top-flight openers (D3, L2), although Moreno could be the man to change that as he began each of his last three jobs with wins âto nilâ!
Rayo Vallecano achieved their joint-best LL position since 2012/13 by finishing 11th last term, one place higher than the season before. They were in the hunt for European football until the closing stages, and that will be a target this term for new manager Francisco, who started his coaching career at AlmerĂa, where he made over 150 appearances as a player!
Putting aside any loyalties for now, if Rayo are to challenge for a top-half finish, he must make them harder to beat on the road as they havenât won a LL away game since late January (D2, L7). This might be a good place to start as theyâve won three of the last five H2Hs here (L2) and Francisco boasts a perfect record against opposite number Moreno (W3) anywhere.
Players to watch: Luis SuĂĄrez made his loan deal from Marseille to AlmerĂa permanent this summer and will hope for a fast start having netted three of his four LL goals last term inside the opening 30 minutes. Also keen to improve on four league goals last term, all of RaĂșl de TomĂĄsâ LL strikes for Rayo came in matches that finished with a 2-1 scoreline (W2, L2)!
Hot streak: Rayo have scored just once across their last five LL openers (D3, L2).