Granada CF vs Rayo Vallecano prediction: SPAIN: LaLiga betting tips on match 2023-08-20 19:30.
La Liga (LL) new boys Granada made life difficult for AtlĂ©tico Madrid in round one by keeping their illustrious hosts at bay until the stroke of half-time and then scoring a 62nd-minute equaliser. But alas, Los NazarĂes ultimately fell to a 3-1 defeat in a game which ended their run of seven consecutive unbeaten league openers (W2, D5). That result hopefully won’t be an early indicator of things to come, as Granada amazingly finished seventh in their previous LL season (2019/20) following a promotion.
A home return against one of last season’s bottom-half sides, Rayo Vallecano, might be a welcome sight then, although Granada’s torrid record in home H2Hs across the last decade casts some doubt on that optimism (D2, L3). The hope is that they can turn that poor recent form around here, especially as they were the only unbeaten Segunda División side at home en route to their title success last season, whilst keeping a distant league-high 16 clean sheets along the way (W17, D4).
Rayo’s 11th-placed finish last season doesn’t tell the whole story of what could have been a very memorable campaign for the Madrid club. Los Franjirrojos spent a good chunk of 2022/23 in and around the European places, but ultimately tailed off with five defeats from the final seven rounds. Even so, they’ve begun this season in the best possible way with a 2-0 win away to AlmerĂa, thanks to two converted penalties before the half-hour mark.
That should be particularly encouraging given that Rayo picked up just 35% of their points away from home last term, and with 2023/24 kicking off with back-to-back road trips, it’s an issue that desperately needs to be addressed. The mere sight of new Rayo boss Francisco on the touchline may strike fear in the hosts, as he is unbeaten in six of his seven managerial H2Hs against Granada (W4, D2, L1).
Players to watch: Young forward Samu Omorodion enjoyed a dream debut for Granada’s senior team at just 19 years of age by scoring a memorable equaliser at the Metropolitano Stadium. He’ll have a job on his hands if he wants to outdo Isi Palazón there; Rayo’s top league scorer last season (G9) got off the mark from the spot after just 20 minutes in round one.
Hot streak: Rayo haven’t begun any of their last six top-flight campaigns with back-to-back wins.