Betis vs Rayo Vallecano prediction: SPAIN: LaLiga betting tips on match 2024-12-21 20:00.
[p]Manuel Pellegrini will be desperate to transfer Real Betis’ recent cup form into results in La Liga, as he looks to ease any speculation over his place in the dugout. The Chilean has seen his side register just one victory across their last six league outings (D3, L2), whereas they have won three in a row in the Copa del Rey and Europe, most recently beating HJK 1-0 in the UEFA Conference League on Thursday.[/p]
[p]That result also means Los Verdiblancos have gone five matches without defeat across all competitions (W4, D1), but their league form is a concern, as they enter the round down in ninth. A return to home comforts should be just the tonic they need though, as Betis have lost just once in 12 games across all competitions at Estadio Benito Villamarín this season (W7, D4).[/p]
[p]The hosts may be confident of extending that run against upcoming opponents Rayo Vallecano, who have not won any of the last seven away H2Hs (D3, L4), with their last such victory coming back in August 2012. The Red Sashes have enjoyed a good run of form of late, going unbeaten over their last four games in all competitions (W2, D2), pulling six points clear of the relegation zone ahead of this round in the process.[/p]
[p]The most recent of those results was a 1-1 stalemate against ten-man Villarreal on Wednesday, which came hot on the heels of a mightily impressive 3-3 draw with Spanish and European champions Real Madrid. Iñigo Pérez’s side led in both of those games and failed to cling on to victory, meaning they have now dropped 17 points after going 1-0 up over the course of the campaign (W3, D4, L3).[/p]
[p]Players to watch: Giovani Lo Celso has netted in back-to-back league games and has now seen ten of his last 13 La Liga goals come after half-time. Attempting to thwart him could well be Rayo defender Florian Lejeune, who has lost each of his previous four away H2Hs, picking up a couple of yellow cards in the process, though he scored in a 2-0 win the last time these sides met in March.[/p]
[p]Hot stat: Ahead of this round, Rayo have scored a league-high of six goals in the opening 15 minutes of their La Liga matches.[/p]
[p][i]Written by Matt Jones[/i][/p]