Rayo Vallecano vs. Girona Prediction, Match Preview and Betting Tips, 26 January 2025 - bettingexpert
It’s LaLiga round 21, and we have an intriguing contest at the Campo de Futbol de Vallecas where Rayo Vallecano takes on Girona. With both teams nestled in the middle of the league standings – Rayo in 9th and Girona in 8th – there’s everything to play for.
Rayo Vallecano, under the guidance of Iñigo Pérez, comes into this match as the bookmakers’ favourite. They have been consistent at home, scoring in 89% of their matches. A key player to watch will be Andrei Ratiu, who has caught the eye of Real Madrid for his impressive performances.
Girona, managed by Miguel Angel Sanchez, has had a tougher run lately, particularly with a congested schedule that included a Champions League clash against AC Milan. The away side’s defense, marshaled by David Lopez and Ladislav Krejci, has managed two clean sheets in the last five games, showing resilience on the road.
Our recommended bet is for Rayo Vallecano to win, priced at decent odds. With goals likely, thanks to both teams’ attacking setups, this match promises excitement for the fans.
Referee Guillermo Cuadra will oversee the proceedings, ensuring a fair and competitive match. As we edge closer to the business end of the season, every point counts, making this clash vital for both teams’ ambitions.
Rayo Vallecano vs Girona Prediction & Betting Tip
Recommended Bet: Rayo Vallecano to win
Rayo Vallecano comes into this match as the bookmaker’s favorite, supported by their strong home form. Although Girona has shown defensive resilience, they are facing a congested schedule and are not currently in their best form.
| Rayo Vallecano vs Girona Prediction | |
|---|---|
| Betting tip | Odds |
| Rayo Vallecano to win | 2.69 |
- Rayo Vallecano has scored in 89% of their home matches this season.
- Girona has had a tough schedule, including a Champions League game mid-week against AC Milan.
- Rayo Vallecano has been consistent, averaging 2 goals at home.
With both teams capable of finding the net, this match promises excitement.
Rayo Vallecano vs Girona Odds
| Rayo Vallecano vs Girona Betting Odds | |
|---|---|
| Bet | Odds |
| Rayo Vallecano | 2.69 |
| Draw | 3.03 |
| Girona | 2.80 |
Rayo Vallecano enters this match as the slight favourite, thanks to their strong home performances this season and having scored in 89% of their home matches. Girona’s recent dip in form and mid-week Champions League engagement against AC Milan are also factors influencing the odds.
Overall, the close odds indicate that this match could go either way, making it an exciting and unpredictable fixture for bettors.
Rayo Vallecano Team Analysis
Rayo Vallecano Recent Performance
| Home team | Away team | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Osasuna | Rayo Vallecano | 1-1 (Draw) |
| Real Sociedad | Rayo Vallecano | 3-1 (Loss) |
| Rayo Vallecano | Celta Vigo | 2-1 (Win) |
| Ferrol | Rayo Vallecano | 1-3 (Win) |
| Real Betis | Rayo Vallecano | 1-1 (Draw) |
Rayo Vallecano’s recent form has been quite steady, with two wins, two draws, and a loss in their last five matches. They’ve been fairly consistent in finding the net, as evidenced by their average of 1.60 goals per game in this period. However, the team’s defense has struggled, failing to keep a single clean sheet in the last five outings.
Despite the defensive lapses, Rayo’s attacking prowess, particularly at home, has been noteworthy, scoring in 89% of their home fixtures this season. This has helped them maintain a mid-table position, currently sitting 9th with 26 points in the league.
Rayo Vallecano Key Players
Jorge de Frutos is a standout for Rayo Vallecano, leading the team with four goals this season. His ability to find space and create chances will be crucial against Girona’s defense, especially with Cristhian Stuani posing a significant threat at the other end. Andrei Ratiu’s potential departure to Real Madrid has him in the spotlight, but that might add extra motivation to his performance.
Expected lineup for Rayo Vallecano:
- Goalkeeper: Augusto Batalla
- Defenders: Andrei Florin Rațiu, Florian Lejeune, Khalid Abdul Mumin, Pep Chavarría
- Midfielders: Jorge de Frutos, Óscar Valentín, Unai López Cabrera, Adrián Embarba
- Forwards: Sergio Camello, Isi Palazón
Key battles include De Frutos against Daley Blind, and Ratiu facing Girona’s Arnau Martínez, another young talent attracting interest from top clubs like Barcelona.
Rayo Vallecano Suspensions & Injuries
Rayo Vallecano are facing several injury challenges ahead of their clash against Girona, with two key players currently sidelined.
| Player | Injury | Expected return |
|---|---|---|
| Raúl de Tomás | Illness | Doubtful |
| Jhonathan Montiel | Ankle injury | Early February 2025 |
The absence of Raúl de Tomás and Jhonathan Montiel could impact Rayo Vallecano’s attacking options and depth on the bench. De Tomás, known for his clinical finishing, might be missed upfront, while Montiel’s creativity in the midfield will be hard to replace. Coach Iñigo Pérez will need to rely on other squad members to fill these gaps effectively.
Rayo Vallecano Tactics and Formation
Rayo Vallecano Tactical Breakdown:
- Formation: 4-4-2
- Goalkeeper: Augusto Batalla
- Defensive Line: Right back – Andrei Florin Rațiu, Right center back – Florian Lejeune, Left center back – Khalid Abdul Mumin, Left back – Pep Chavarría
- Midfield Quartet: Right midfielder – Jorge de Frutos, Right central midfielder – Óscar Valentín, Left central midfielder – Unai López Cabrera, Left midfielder – Adrián Embarba
- Forward Duo: Right forward – Sergio Camello, Left forward – Isi Palazón
- Key Forward: Jorge de Frutos, top scorer with 4 goals
Despite missing Raúl de Tomás, coach Iñigo Pérez will aim to leverage the dynamism of their traditional 4-4-2 setup. The defense, though yet to keep a clean sheet in the last five games, will rely on Batalla’s consistency in goal and Rațiu’s solidity amidst transfer interest from major clubs.
The midfield will be crucial with Valentín and López providing ball control and distribution, while Embarba and de Frutos add width and pace.
In attack, Palazón’s partnership with Camello will be pivotal as they aim to capitalize on home advantage and maintain their strong scoring record.
Girona Team Analysis
Girona Recent Performance
Girona have experienced a mixed bag of results in their last five encounters. Displaying a formation that has varied considerably, consistency has been elusive for them. They average 1.20 goals scored in these matches and have managed to keep 2 clean sheets. Here’s a closer look:
| Home team | Away team | Result |
|---|---|---|
| AC Milan | Girona | 1-0 (Loss) |
| Girona | Sevilla | 1-2 (Loss) |
| Deportivo Alaves | Girona | 0-1 (Win) |
| Girona | Real Valladolid | 3-0 (Win) |
| Mallorca | Girona | 2-1 (Loss) |
While they have secured two crucial wins, those were the exceptions in an otherwise tough stretch that included challenging fixtures like AC Milan and Sevilla. Coach Miguel Angel Sanchez will be focusing on tightening their defense, which has conceded 1.4 goals on average per game this season.
Girona Key Players
Girona’s fortunes often hinge on the performance of their key players. Cristhian Stuani, their top scorer with 4 goals, will be crucial in their efforts to outmaneuver Rayo Vallecano’s defense. His duel with defenders like Florian Lejeune will be a critical one to watch.
The midfield battle will see the experienced Oriol Romeu and Viktor Tsygankov trying to control the game’s tempo. Paulo Gazzaniga, their dependable goalkeeper, will need to be at his best to thwart Rayo’s attack.
Expected lineup for Girona:
- Goalkeeper: Paulo Gazzaniga
- Defenders: Arnau Martínez, David López, Ladislav Krejčí, Daley Blind
- Midfielders: Yangel Herrera, Iván Martín Núñez, Viktor Tsygankov, Yaser Asprilla, Bryan Gil
- Center Forward: Abel Ruiz
Girona Suspensions & Injuries
| Player | Injury | Expected return |
|---|---|---|
| Bojan Miovski | Hamstring Injury | Early February 2025 |
Currently, Girona is dealing with a significant injury concern as Bojan Miovski is sidelined with a hamstring injury. His absence until early February will be a blow for the team, particularly in their attacking options where depth might be an issue.
There are no suspensions to contend with for Girona, allowing Miguel Angel Sanchez to field his strongest available lineup. This could be a crucial advantage in a match where every fit player will need to contribute. The team must adapt and rely on other key players to fill the gap left by Miovski’s absence.
Girona Tactics and Formation
Girona’s Tactical Breakdown:
- Formation: 4-2-3-1
- Key Forward: Abel Ruiz
- Midfield Trio: Yangel Herrera, Iván Martín Núñez, Yaser Asprilla
- Defensive Setup: Daley Blind, David Lopez, Ladislav Krejčí, Arnau Martínez
- Defensive Strength: Two clean sheets in the last five games.
- Notable Strategy: Utilizing the flanks with Viktor Tsygankov and Bryan Gil providing width.
Under Miguel Ángel Sánchez, Girona will rely on their disciplined 4-2-3-1 formation for balance. The team emphasizes defensive solidity, as indicated by their recent clean sheets, and aims to control the midfield with Herrera and Núñez. Asprilla’s role as an attacking midfielder will be pivotal in linking the midfield and attack, while Abel Ruiz will be the focal point up front. With an inclination towards width, expect crosses and quick transitions through Tsygankov and Gil on the wings.
Rayo Vallecano vs Girona Head-to-Head Statistics
| Home | Away | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Rayo Vallecano | Girona | 2-1 |
| Girona | Rayo Vallecano | 1-1 |
| Rayo Vallecano | Girona | 3-0 |
| Girona | Rayo Vallecano | 0-2 |
| Rayo Vallecano | Girona | 1-1 |
In the last five encounters, Rayo Vallecano have clearly had the upper hand, registering three wins and two draws.
Their dominance at home against Girona is reflected in their scoring ability, with an average of 2.5 goals per match.
Given both teams’ current standings and recent form, this match promises to be another thrilling encounter for LaLiga enthusiasts.
Odds accurate as of 24.01.2025 13:01, and are subject to change.
Please always check the odds before placing your bets with any bookmaker.
