Barcelona vs Rayo Vallecano prediction: SPAIN: LaLiga betting tips on match 2024-05-18 17:00.
[p]Barcelona celebrated Xaviâs 100th La Liga game in charge with a 2-0 win over AlmerĂa that leaves them on the brink of securing a second-placed finish. Just one more win will guarantee their runners-up slot and a place in next seasonâs Super Cup, but thatâs far from a given against Rayo Vallecano, a side they havenât beaten in the last five league H2Hs (D2, L3).[/p]
[p]Recent form bodes well for the hosts though, who have six wins from their last seven matches across all competitions on their own turf (L1). Five straight home league wins – including four accompanied by a clean sheet – must set the tone for Barcelona, who havenât won a league home H2H âto nilâ since February 2014![/p]
[p]Despite being reduced to ten men inside the opening five minutes of their clash against Granada, Rayo Vallecano were still able to emerge victorious (2-1) and move to the brink of safety. Iñigo PĂ©rezâs men sit six points clear of the drop zone with just two games left to play, perhaps allowing them some freedom as they target back-to-back league wins for the first time since the first two games of the season![/p]
[p]Finding their shooting boots could be key to that quest, as Rayo have netted multiple goals in just three of their last 17 league matches, while only CĂĄdiz have scored fewer goals than Rayo (29) this league campaign. Travelling hasnât been their forte either, as Rayo are winless across their last eight league trips (D3, L5), failing to score in six of those matches, which was also the case in their last away league H2H that ended goalless.[/p]
[p]Players to watch: FermĂn LĂłpez scored both goals for Barcelona in their latest win, taking his tally to seven in his debut top-flight season, five of which have come beyond the hour mark. Ălvaro GarcĂa scored Rayoâs last two away league goals, both being the second goal of the match, albeit ending in 2-1 defeats.[/p]
[p]Hot stat: Five of Barcelonaâs last six matches have seen a penalty scored.[/p]