Rayo Vallecano vs Mallorca prediction: SPAIN: LaLiga betting tips on match 2023-09-29 14:15.
After a strong start to the season which saw them beat AlmerĂa and Granada 2-0 away in La Liga (LL), Rayo Vallecano have stalled a little with only one further win from their next five league games (D2, L2). However, ahead of this weekend’s round of fixtures, they are in the top seven and unbeaten in their last three matches (W1, D2), impressing at the back with only two goals conceded from their last four.
Scoring goals of their own has been a little harder for Rayo – only two teams in the top 15 have found the net on fewer occasions this term. In fact, it is now 32 LL games since the Red Sashes scored three or more goals, but having said that, at Estadio de Vallecas they do at least tend to get on the scoresheet, drawing only one blank in their last ten league encounters there.
Arriving in Madrid this weekend are Mallorca, who have scored seven of their nine 2023/24 LL goals on their travels, including three last weekend against Girona. Despite taking an early lead on that occasion, they went down 5-3, but responded well in midweek to hold Barcelona to a 2-2 draw at Son Moix.
Javier Aguirre’s side have won only one match from seven so far this season (D3, L3), although that victory did come on the road, away at lowly Celta Vigo. And if they can pick up all three points against Rayo, it will not only propel them up the table but will extend their strong recent H2H winning record, which has seen them take all three points in their last three meetings, including keeping a clean sheet in the last two.
Players to watch: Midfielder Isi Palazón is Rayo Vallecano’s leading goalscorer so far in LL this season, with both of his goals coming from the penalty spot. Mallorca striker Vedat Muriqi comes into this contest looking to net for the fourth successive game, having opened the scoring in each of the last three.
Hot stat: Mallorca haven’t played out a 0-0 draw away from home since August last year.