Atl. Madrid vs Rayo Vallecano prediction: SPAIN: LaLiga betting tips on match 2025-04-23 19:30.
[p]With Atlético Madrid’s title hopes extinguished in recent weeks, it’s just as well they’ve all but rubber stamped their place in the top five. Such has been their demise, Diego Simeone’s men would be sitting eighth if only considering La Liga games played in 2025, with their 1-0 defeat away to struggling Las Palmas at the weekend the latest in a run of five defeats in nine games across all competitions for the capital club (W3, D1).[/p]
[p]That dismal run has seen them dumped out of the Copa del Rey and the UEFA Champions League, and with the limit of their league season now being a top-five finish, Atlético are left with little to play for. Finishing on a high will be of the utmost importance to boss Simeone, who has watched his side turn in a 17-match unbeaten H2H run against Rayo Vallecano (W13, D4), although one of those draws did come in this season’s reverse fixture (1-1).[/p]
[p]Ending that run against Atlético won’t be straightforward for Rayo, who haven’t won an away H2H in La Liga since 1999 (D1, L9). They won’t make the hop across Madrid full of confidence either, after a 1-1 draw with Valencia at the weekend stretched their indifferent league run to one win in nine games (D3, L5), harming their chances of storming into the European places.[/p]
[p]Only once in history have Rayo appeared in European competition, and their chances were boosted by confirmation that eighth place is now worthy of a Conference League spot. They’ll have to snap out of their negative streak quickly if they’re to secure a top-eight finish, but Atlético probably aren’t an ideal opponent to do so against given that the Red Sashes haven’t won a league game this season against a side starting this round in the top seven (D4, L7). [/p]
[p]Players to watch: AtlĂ©tico’s Antoine Griezmann is the top scorer in the history of this fixture (nine) – he’s made the score 2-0 on four of his last five scoring appearances. Rayo’s Pedro DĂaz has hit three goals in his last six games, and his last five away goals at club level all arrived before the hour mark.[/p]
[p]Hot stat: Rayo Vallecano have scored first in 18 league games this season, but won only seven (D7, L4).[/p]
[p][i]Written by Chris Wilson[/i][/p]