Elche vs Rayo Vallecano prediction: SPAIN: LaLiga betting tips on match 2023-04-28 14:15.
Elche’s miserable La Liga (LL) farewell tour most recently took them to Celta Vigo for a 1-0 loss, the fifth time from their last six outings that they failed to get on the scoresheet (L6). Nothing less than seven consecutive wins and a lot of luck would be enough to prevent a relegation that has appeared imminent for many months now.
That aura of inevitability was confirmed when manager Sebastián Beccacece committed to a long-term “investment” in Elche’s eventual return to the top flight, but it may not be long before his own bosses question his position after he’s added further to what was already the worst start to a tenure by an Elche manager this century. One of the very few positives he can point to is his side conceding two or fewer goals in four consecutive outings after being hit for 3+ nine times throughout the season.
They lost 2-1 to upcoming opponents Rayo Vallecano in the first of their three 5+ game LL losing streaks, a result that Vallecano replicated against likely champions Barcelona on a magical Wednesday evening at the Estadio de Vallecas. Their European ambitions appeared quashed a fortnight ago when tumbling from fifth to ninth after eight games without victory (D5, L3), but clutch home wins against both Barça and Osasuna (also 2-1) has kept the dream alive.
Vallecano’s attacking unit has been humming with goals in six consecutive LL outings, but seven without a clean sheet has held back their progress. One could reasonably expect that a matchup with Elche should help them get back on the right path, but Vallecano have won just one of their five LL away trips to clubs starting this round 15th or lower (D2, L2).
Key battle: Coming into the round, Elche goalkeeper Édgar BadĂa had the highest average LL goals conceded per 90 (2.03) of any shot-stopper with at least 12 starts, and even has more yellow cards (two) than clean sheets (one) this LL season! Sergio Camello currently averages more shots per 90 minutes (2.69) than any teammate and scored before half-time against BadĂa in the reverse H2H.
Hot stat: All but one of Vallecano’s last seven LL wins were by a single-goal margin.