Atl. Madrid vs Rayo Vallecano prediction: SPAIN: LaLiga betting tips on match 2024-01-30 20:00.
AtlĂ©tico Madrid maintained their grip on their top-four La Liga position courtesy of a routine 2-0 win over Valencia on Sunday, although with their challengers looming large just behind, Diego Simeoneâs men cannot afford a slip-up in form. Heading into this inter-city derby against Rayo Vallecano on the back of a four-game competitive winning streak should boost hopes, especially seeing as Atleti have not conceded in any of their last three games.
Atleti also played Vallecano after their last run of three straight shutouts before posting a 2-1 victory, a result which theyâd happily take here as La Ligaâs strongest home side look to extend their unbeaten record to 12 games (W10, D1). The only team to take anything from Atleti at Metropolitano Stadium this season was another underdog Madrid rival, Getafe, but the hosts have come up trumps in nine of the last ten home H2Hs between these two (D1).
Getafe are the only team that Rayo have got the better of across their last 11 league outings (D5, L5), but the draws in that streak have been key in them languishing in mid-table rather than in the heat of a relegation scrap. This is a fixture that may give visiting coach Francisco RodrĂguez further concerns given he has lost five of his six touchline meetings with Simeone (W1), with his side on the day conceding 13 unanswered goals across the last four.
Rayo have nonetheless been decent travellers this season, picking up four of their five league wins and two-thirds of their overall points haul on the road (W4, D4, L3) – thatâs a stronger away record than their high-flying hosts! Vallecano have also avoided defeat in 64% of their league games as outsiders this season (W3, D6, L5), a higher percentage than all but three sides heading into this round!
Players to watch: Five of Ălvaro Morataâs 13 scoring appearances this season saw him net at least twice, including a brace in Atletiâs 7-0 demolition of Rayo in the reverse. Rayoâs Sergio Camello could be the man to lead any unlikely push for a victory, having hit a brace to help his side to a 2-0 win in their last intercity Madrid derby against Getafe.
Hot stat: Atlético Madrid boast a league-high 2.85 points per game when scoring first this season (W12, D1).