Will Rayo Vallecano continue their downward slide?

Just a few weeks ago, the “Vallecanos” were in the race for the international starting places. In the meantime, the tide has turned again for the promoted team from Madrid. After all, Rayo Vallecano are “only” eleventh in the table and have not yet won a single match in La Liga this calendar year.

It is quite possible that the current form crisis will continue on Friday evening. Rayo Vallecano are guests of Elche CF, the team with the best form in the Spanish top flight. Prior to the defeat to Sevilla, Elche had gone unbeaten in seven straight competitions, sometimes defying leaders Real Madrid in the process.

Given their recent run of form, a bet on the home side is well worth it. This is also supported by the home record of the “Franjiverdes” against their upcoming opponents from Madrid.

Elche have not lost a competitive match against Rayo Vallecano at home since January 1991. The “Franjiverdes” have even won three of their last four home games against Rayo and therefore go into Friday’s match with a broad chest.

Elche – Statistics & current form

Although Elche CF were able to build up a small points cushion on the relegation zone, the “Franjiverdes” are still in the fight against relegation. Staying in the relegation zone therefore remains the primary goal of the 14th-placed team in the second half of the season, especially as they are only six points ahead of the relegation places.

Last week, head coach Andoni Iraola’s team failed to beat second-placed Sevilla. Before that, the 39-year-old Spaniard’s team remained unbeaten five times in a row, scoring against top clubs such as Real Madrid and Villarreal. The 14th-placed team won 1-0 against the latter at the Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero.

At home, Elche CF are unbeaten for four home games in a row. Overall, the “Franjiverdes” have a record of 4-5-2 in La Liga, with both defeats coming against top teams such as Real Madrid and Betis, who are currently among the three strongest teams in the Spanish top flight in the standings.

Will the home series continue?

Friday’s opponent from Madrid suits Elche CF quite well in their current form. The “Franjiverdes” have not lost any of their last nine home games against Rayo Vallecano. In the last two home games in the Spanish top flight, Elche beat the “Vallecanos” twice in a row with 2:0.

It is quite possible that the next victory will follow. In the first half of the season, there was a match between equals in which Elche CF only narrowly missed out on a point away from home. Betting fans who want to bet on a win for Elche vs. Rayo Vallecano on Friday evening can get betting odds of up to 3.00 for tip 1.

Head coach Francisco Rodríguez will be able to draw on as many options as possible for the home match against Rayo. Due to injuries, only Boye and Ponce will have to rest in the ranks of the host team. Elche CF are not expected to make any major changes compared to their last starting eleven.

Predicted line-up of Elche:
Badia; Barragan, Roco, Verdu, Mojica; Morente, Mascarell, Gumbau, Fidel; Carrillo, Milla

Last matches played by Elche:

LaLiga
02/11 2022 – Sevilla 2 – 0 Elche

02/05 2022 – Elche 3 – 1 Deportivo Alaves

01/23 2022 – Real Madrid 2 – 2 Elche

Copa del Rey
01/20 2022 – Elche 1 – 2 Real Madrid

LaLiga
01/16 2022 – Elche 1 – 0 FC Villarreal

Rayo Vallecano – Statistics & current form

Rayo Vallecano squandered any momentum from their strong first half. The promoted team has already slipped to a double-digit position in the table after its ongoing form crisis and – for the time being at least – has said goodbye to the race for the international starting places. Recently, the “Vallecanos” even suffered three league defeats in a row.

Neither against Bilbao nor against teams like Vigo or Osasuna did Rayo Vallecano score a goal. Since the 20th matchday, the “Vallecanos” have not scored a goal.

Considering how weak Rayo have been away from home so far, it cannot be ruled out that the form crisis will continue against Elche CF. The promoted team is one of the three weakest teams in the Spanish top flight on foreign soil.

Does Rayo suffer another away defeat?

The “Vallecanos” have lost a total of eight out of eleven away games. Only once did the promoted team come away victorious away from home. That win came at Bilbao, where head coach Andoni Iraola’s side recorded a narrow 2-1 victory.

Since then, Rayo have only had a couple of away wins in the cup competition. However, the results against teams like Guijuelo, Bergantinos, Mirandes and Girona should not be overrated in view of the upcoming match against Elche CF. Accordingly, the forecast for Elche vs. Rayo Vallecano at odds of 2.75 on an away win is not recommended.

Just like Friday’s opponents, Rayo Vallecano are also spared major personnel worries at the start of matchday 25. The 39-year-old Rayo manager will only have to do without Merquelanz.

Predicted line-up of Rayo Vallecano:
Dimitrievski; Balliu, Saveljich, Catena, Rodrigues; Valentin, Comesana; Palazon, Trejo, A Garcia; Guardiola

Last matches played by Rayo Vallecano:

LaLiga
02/12 2022 – Rayo Vallecano 0 – 3 Osasuna Pamplona

Copa del Rey
02/09 2022 – Rayo Vallecano 1 – 2 Real Betis

LaLiga
02/05 2022 – Celta Vigo 2 – 0 Rayo Vallecano

Copa del Rey
02/02 2022 – Rayo Vallecano 1 – 0 Mallorca

LaLiga
01/23 2022 – Rayo Vallecano 0 – 1 Athletic Bilbao

Elche – Rayo Vallecano Direct comparison / H2H record

For the 43rd time in total, Elche CF and Rayo Vallecano will meet. The hosts from Elche currently lead the direct comparison with a record of 25-6-11. Elche CF conceded one of their eleven defeats in the first leg of the current season, where the “Franjiverdes” lost the match 2-1 despite taking the lead at one point.

On the other hand, the home record against the upcoming opponents is quite respectable. Elche CF have been unbeaten against Rayo since January 1991. In the last nine home games, Elche have a record of 6-3-0 against the “Vallecanos”.

Elche – Rayo Vallecano betting tips

Elche CF have already fought their way out of the bottom of the table, but the “Franjiverde” are still in a relegation battle. In the current league situation – Elche are only six points away from the relegation zone – every match in the second half of the season is of immense importance. Especially in their own stadium, where Rodriguez’s team has a promising record.

Friday’s opponents Rayo come in quite handy for the 14th-placed team. The “Vallecanos” are not only one of the “Franjiverdes”‘ favourite opponents, but also one of the weakest away teams of the current season. So far, Rayo have only managed five points in eleven away games.

We therefore see value in the high odds on a home win and dare to bet on the home side with a moderate stake of four units. For Elche vs. Rayo Vallecano, betting odds of 3.00 are currently offered for tip 1. The “Franjiverdes” have won three of their last four home games against Rayo Vallecano