Athletic Club vs. Rayo Vallecano Prediction, Match Preview and Betting Tips, 13 April 2025 - bettingexpert
As we head into Round 31 of LaLiga, San Mames will host an intriguing clash between Athletic Club and Rayo Vallecano on the evening of 13 April 2025, with kick-off at 20:00. Both teams are jockeying for position, with Athletic Club aiming to solidify their top-four status while Rayo Vallecano look to move up the table from their current 9th place.
Athletic Club, managed by Ernesto Valverde, are in fine form and keen to extend their impressive run at home where they’ve suffered just one league defeat this season. They come into this game fresh off a Europa League match against Rangers, a contest that showcased their resilience and depth.
Top scorer Oihan Sancet, who has caught the eye of Atletico Madrid, will again be pivotal for Athletic Club. Meanwhile, Rayo Vallecano’s Andrei Ratiu, linked with top European clubs like Liverpool and Manchester City, will be crucial in defence.
The weather at San Mames is expected to be mild, with referee Adrian Cordero officiating the match. Bet on Athletic Club to win, given their superior league position, current form, and home advantage.
Athletic Club vs Rayo Vallecano Prediction & Betting Tip
Recommending a bet on Athletic Club to win looks solid for this fixture. Athletic Club have been dominant at home, suffering just one league defeat this season. Their strong defense, which has kept clean sheets in 4 of their last 5 matches, gives them the edge over Rayo Vallecano, who have struggled with away form recently.
| Athletic Club vs Rayo Vallecano Prediction | |
|---|---|
| Betting tip | Odds |
| Athletic Club to win | 1.75 |
- Athletic Club’s home strength: Only one league defeat at San Mames this season.
- Rayo Vallecano’s away struggles: They’ve lost two of their last three away games.
- Current form: Athletic Club’s solid defensive performances with 4 clean sheets in their last 5 matches.
Athletic Club vs Rayo Vallecano Odds
| Athletic Club vs Rayo Vallecano Betting Odds | |
|---|---|
| Bet | Odds |
| Athletic Club | 1.75 |
| Draw | 3.45 |
| Rayo Vallecano | 5.12 |
The bookmakers are favoring Athletic Club to come out on top in this clash at San Mames. With odds of 1.75 for a home win, it’s clear that their strong defensive record at home and higher league placement are significant factors.
Those considering a draw will find odds of 3.45, reflecting a fair likelihood given both teams’ recent performances.
Rayo Vallecano is seen as the underdog at 5.12, primarily due to their less consistent away form and lower league standing.
Athletic Club Team Analysis
Athletic Club Recent Performance
| Home team | Away team | Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rangers | Athletic Club | 2025-04-10 | Europa League Final Stage | 0-0 (Draw) |
| Villarreal | Athletic Club | 2025-04-06 | LaLiga | 0-0 (Draw) |
| Athletic Club | Osasuna | 2025-03-30 | LaLiga | 0-0 (Draw) |
| Sevilla | Athletic Club | 2025-03-16 | LaLiga | 0-1 (Win) |
| Athletic Club | Roma | 2025-03-13 | Europa League Final Stage | 3-1 (Win) |
Athletic Club is in impressive form, going undefeated in their last five matches across all competitions. Their recent performance shows a penchant for solid defensive play, having kept four clean sheets in their last five games.
Despite scoring an average of only 0.80 goals per match recently, their strong backline ensures they remain competitive. This defensive solidity has been a key factor in their current fourth-place standing in LaLiga, with 54 points.
Their defensive prowess will be particularly crucial against Rayo Vallecano, whom they have beaten convincingly in past encounters.
Athletic Club Key Players
- Oihan Sancet: The top scorer for Athletic Club, with 14 goals and 3 assists this season, will be pivotal. Sancet’s offensive prowess has been a defining feature of Athletic’s campaign, attracting interest from top clubs like Atletico Madrid.
- Nico Williams: A looming departure to a bigger club hasn’t distracted the speedy winger, who remains a constant threat on the right flank. Nico’s pace and creativity make him a key player to watch.
- Defensive Strength: The backline, featuring Julen Agirrezabala in goal and defenders like Yeray Alvarez and Daniel Vivian, has maintained solid defensive records with four clean sheets in the last five games.
Expected lineup for Athletic Club:
- Goalkeeper: Unai Simón
- Defenders: Andoni Gorosabel, Aitor Paredes, Unai Núñez, Adama Boiro
- Midfielders: Mikel Vesga, Beñat Prados, Unai Gómez, Alejandro Berenguer Remiro
- Attackers: Nico Williams, Gorka Guruzeta
Athletic Club Suspensions & Injuries
Athletic Club have a relatively clean bill of health going into this match, but they are without the services of Yuri Berchiche, who is sidelined with a calf injury.
| Player | Injury | Expected return |
|---|---|---|
| Yuri Berchiche | Calf injury | Late April 2025 |
Berchiche’s absence will somewhat affect their left-back options, but Ernesto Valverde has depth in the squad to compensate for it. This minor setback shouldn’t overly disrupt the defensive solidity that has been a hallmark of their season. The rest of the squad is expected to be fit and ready to maintain their top-four push in LaLiga.
Athletic Club Tactics and Formation
Athletic Club Tactical Breakdown:
- Formation: 4-2-3-1
- Key Forward: Oihan Sancet
- Midfield Duo: Mikel Vesga, Beñat Prados
- Defensive Strength: Four clean sheets in the last five games
Athletic Club will likely line up in their usual 4-2-3-1 formation. This setup allows for a solid defensive structure while giving creative freedom to key players like Oihan Sancet. Sancet has been in scintillating form, and his ability to link up play will be crucial.
In the midfield, Mikel Vesga and Beñat Prados will be tasked with breaking up attacks and controlling the game’s tempo.
The backline, anchored by Aitor Paredes and Unai Núñez, has shown solidity, conceding just 0.8 goals on average per game this season.
Expect Athletic Club to focus on maintaining their defensive rigidity while exploiting quick transitions, especially towards the business end of the first half where they’ve frequently found the net.
Rayo Vallecano Team Analysis
Rayo Vallecano Recent Performance
Rayo Vallecano’s recent form has been a bit of a mixed bag. Over their last five matches, they’ve shown some resilience but also notable vulnerabilities. They have managed only one win, accompanied by two draws and two losses. Their ability to find the back of the net has been fair, with an average of 1.20 goals scored per game, though they’ve only secured one clean sheet during this period.
Here’s a closer look at their recent matches:
| Home Team | Away Team | Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rayo Vallecano | Espanyol | 2025-04-04 | LaLiga | 0-4 (Loss) |
| Deportivo Alavés | Rayo Vallecano | 2025-03-29 | LaLiga | 0-2 (Win) |
| Rayo Vallecano | Real Sociedad | 2025-03-16 | LaLiga | 2-2 (Draw) |
| Real Madrid | Rayo Vallecano | 2025-03-09 | LaLiga | 2-1 (Loss) |
| Rayo Vallecano | Sevilla | 2025-03-01 | LaLiga | 1-1 (Draw) |
While their attacking numbers appear decent, their defensive lapses have been their Achilles’ heel, conceding heavily at times. This inconsistency is something that coach Iñigo Pérez will be keen to address.
As they face Athletic Club, who are strong at home, Rayo Vallecano will need to shore up their defense and find a way to convert their scoring opportunities if they are to get a positive result at San Mamés.
Rayo Vallecano Key Players
Rayo Vallecano will heavily rely on their top performers as they head to San Mamés. The dynamic Jorge de Frutos, their leading scorer with 4 goals this season, will be pivotal in breaking down Athletic Club’s resolute defense. Additionally, Isi Palazón, known for his creativity and vision, will be essential in linking up the play from midfield to attack.
Expected lineup for Rayo Vallecano:
- Goalkeeper: Augusto Batalla
- Defenders: Andrei Florin Rațiu, Florian Lejeune, Aridane Hernández, Pep Chavarría
- Midfielders: Pathé Ciss, Pedro Díaz Fanjul, Jorge de Frutos, Isi Palazón, Álvaro García Rivera
- Attacker: Randy Nteka
Key individual battles to watch out for include Randy Nteka challenging Athletic’s center-backs, and de Frutos facing off against their full-backs. These matchups will be crucial for Rayo Vallecano’s chances of success.
Rayo Vallecano Suspensions & Injuries
Injuries have hit Rayo Vallecano hard as they head into this crucial clash against Athletic Club. Key players are sidelined, and their absence could significantly impact the visitors’ performance.
| Player | Injury | Expected return |
|---|---|---|
| Jhonatan Montiel | Ankle injury | Late April 2025 |
| Sergio Camello | Foot injury | Late April 2025 |
| Khalid Abdul Mumin | Knee injury | Late April 2025 |
These injuries affect both defensive solidity and attacking options for Rayo Vallecano. Jhonatan Montiel’s creativity will be missed in midfield, while Sergio Camello’s and Khalid Abdul Mumin’s absences could weaken the team’s attacking depth and defensive resilience.
These fitness issues pile up the pressure on Rayo Vallecano’s fit players to step up and fill the void, especially against a solid Athletic Club side.
Rayo Vallecano Tactics and Formation
Rayo Vallecano’s Tactical Breakdown:
- Formation: 4-2-3-1
- Key Forward: Randy Nteka
- Holds the central striker role, expected to lead the line and create scoring opportunities.
- Midfield Dynamics: Pathé Ciss, Pedro Díaz, Isi Palazón
- Defensive Midfielders: Pathé Ciss and Pedro Díaz provide a solid defensive shield in front of the backline.
- Attacking Midfield Trio: Jorge de Frutos on the right wing, Álvaro García on the left, and Isi Palazón in the centre form an essential creative force.
- Defensive Setup:
- Recent struggles with conceding goals, averaging 1.2 goals conceded in 30 matches.
- Defensive solidity needed to address inconsistency at the back, especially with key injuries.
- Notable Strategy:
- Focus on counter-attacking football.
- Utilize the pace of wingers Jorge de Frutos and Álvaro García to exploit spaces behind the Athletic Club defence.
This tactical approach aims to balance stability and creativity, crucial for managing stronger opponents like Athletic Club.
Athletic Club vs Rayo Vallecano Head-to-Head Statistics
| Home team | Away team | Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rayo Vallecano | Athletic Club | 2024-12-01 | LaLiga | 1-2 (Win) |
| Rayo Vallecano | Athletic Club | 2024-05-25 | LaLiga | 0-1 (Win) |
| Athletic Club | Rayo Vallecano | 2023-12-02 | LaLiga | 4-0 (Win) |
| Rayo Vallecano | Athletic Club | 2023-03-05 | LaLiga | 0-0 (Draw) |
| Athletic Club | Rayo Vallecano | 2022-09-17 | LaLiga | 3-2 (Win) |
The recent history between these sides heavily favors Athletic Club, as they have won four out of their last five encounters.
Rayo Vallecano managed to secure only one draw, struggling to make a significant impact against their opponents.
These past results suggest a challenging fixture for Rayo, as Athletic Club has consistently dominated these matchups.
Odds accurate as of 04/11/2025 20:02, and are subject to change. Please always check the odds before placing your bets with any bookmaker.
