Rayo Vallecano vs Valencia prediction: SPAIN: LaLiga betting tips on match 2022-09-09 12:00.
The glee that followed Rayo Vallecano’s opening week 0-0 draw with Barcelona has now turned to frustration as their persistent inability to score regularly was described by manager Andoni Iraola as a “collective” malaise. That, coupled with defensive lapses, has resulted in consecutive La Liga (LL) defeats, leaving Vallecano two points behind upcoming opponents Valencia – a similar point to where they concluded 2021/22.
Vallecano certainly owe their home faithful something special in return for a surprise loss against nearly-relegated Mallorca (0-2) two games ago, which extended their winless LL run at home to 11 games (D4, L7). In addition to returning to the winners’ circle for the first time in three weeks, Iraola’s players will also be hoping to correct a bizarre pattern of 19 out of their last 20 LL matches in which the home side on the day did not lead at the interval!
Considering both Vallecano and Valencia have been on both ends of upset LL results already this season, a repeat of the two 1-1 H2H stalemates played out last year may have appeared a realistic prospect. Yet, after Valencia’s largest haul of goals in a LL fixture since May 2019 in their 5-1 victory against Getafe last time out, such a low-scoring affair now seems far-fetched. Perhaps the influence of new manager Gennaro Gattuso, who oversaw Napoli score 4+ goals in 11 separate victories (all competitions) across his final season in charge, is already beginning to make a change.
After a 0-1 loss to Athletic in their only LL away fixture of this season to date, Valencia should appreciate a trip to a club not expected to threaten the European positions this season. Valencia lost just one LL away game against the 11 clubs to finish below them in the 2021/22 standings (W5, D5), perhaps making this an opportune moment to collect their first LL away victory since March (D3, L2).
Players to watch: Vallecano’s Óscar Trejo was a first half goalscorer in their first two LL home fixtures of last season, whilst Hugo Duro topped off Valencia’s 5-1 victory and has now found the net in three of his last five competitive appearances of at least 30 minutes.
Hot stat: Just one of Valencia’s seven LL away victories since the start of 2020/21 was by a 2+ goal margin.