Rayo Vallecano vs Celta Vigo prediction: SPAIN: LaLiga betting tips on match 2023-12-10 20:00.
Rayo Vallecano were made to work hard in midweek for their 2-0 victory over Segunda División RFEF outfit Yeclano in the Copa del Rey, with goals from Radamel Falcao and Raúl de Tomás coming in the dying moments. Los Franjirrojos will now hope to build on that in La Liga (LL) after one victory since mid-September (D7, L2) has seen them plummet down the table, bookended by a heavy 4-0 loss at Athletic last weekend, albeit they were still ten points above the drop zone after round 15.
Form at Estadio de Vallecas has been particularly troublesome, where despite scoring first in four successive fixtures, they failed to register a win (D3, L1). Scoring isn’t something they’ve managed in four games against upcoming opponents Celta Vigo (D2, L2), and with the last two H2H fixtures here both ending 0-0, a fifth draw across their last five home games this season wouldn’t surprise.
Celta have not won a league game after conceding the opening goal since May 2021, potentially making them timely opponents for the hosts. They also make the trip to Madrid low on confidence after an 11-game streak without a LL victory (D5, L6) – their joint-longest winless run in the Spanish top-flight this century – although they also received a small midweek boost with a cup win of their own over lower tier Sestao.
Their league form has piled the pressure on manager Rafael BenĂtez, whose side could only manage a 1-1 draw at home to struggling Cádiz last time out, despite their opponents having Victor Chust sent off in the 33rd minute. Sitting in the relegation zone, the boss insists he’s still got the support of the club, but he will be only too aware that defeat in this fixture will lead to further speculation over his future.
Key battle: Rayo defender Florian Lejeune has only been on the winning side against Celta once in nine attempts (D1, L7). Looking to extend that record will be the visitors’ top marksman Jørgen Strand Larsen, although he has helped the Sky Blues to victory in just one of his last seven goalscoring LL appearances (D2, L4), with each of those fixtures seeing both teams score.
Hot streak: Rayo’s last five home league games have seen both teams score.