Derby of contrasting moods
It is a city derby of contrasting form and mood: while champions Atletico eliminated Manchester United from the Champions League during the week and thus goes into this duel full of euphoria due to the quarterfinal spot, Rayo Vallecano could not be in a worse mood. The promoted team, for a long time THE surprise team par excellence in La Liga, is in the middle of the biggest crisis of the season.
Saturday at 9 p.m. it comes to the small Madrid city derby of contrasts, when Rayo receives Atletico at the Campo de Futbol de Vallecas. The fact that the champion is the favorite in the game is not surprising, as the odds show before Rayo Vallecano vs. Atletico Madrid.
And yet there are offers of over 2.00 if you place your bet on the Rojiblancos in Rayo Vallecano vs Atletico Madrid. Despite Rayo’s ongoing misery, this is certainly due to the promoted team’s enormously strong home record this season. And also because of Atletico’s often shaky performances and away record.
So it could be really exciting on Saturday night in this little derby in the Madrid district of Vallecas, where Atletico urgently need the three points in the fight for the top division – and anything other than a victory for the Simeone team would be tantamount to a disappointment.
Rayo Vallecano – statistics & current form
On matchday 18, Rayo was sensationally in 4th place in the La Ligas table. After an amazing first half, Rayo spent Christmas in the European places. But the promoted team was unable to carry this momentum from the first half of the season into the new year of 2022 – on the contrary. In 2022, the team from Vallecas has not yet managed to win a single match in La Liga.
The last three-game winning streak in La Liga actually dates back to Matchday 18 just before Christmas, and things have been steadily going downhill since then. Rayo has now waited nine games for a three-point win, and seven of those games have even been lost. Rayo has slipped to 13th place and is now looking downwards rather than upwards towards the international rankings.
Rayo Vallecano: Downturn and home strength
However, the lead over the relegation zone remains comfortable due to the terrific first half of the season, despite a winless streak that is difficult to explain. Andoni Iraola’s team is eight points clear of the first relegation spot.
In view of this slump, it is natural for us to bet on a win for Rayo Vallecano against Atletico Madrid – especially because the odds are over 2.00.
The fact that there are such high offers on the Atletico victory in Vallecas is due to the continued strong home record of the promoted team: Rayo won eight of the 14 home games at the Campo de Futbol de Vallecas. Among others, FC Barcelona was defeated here in the first half of the season.
Therefore, Atletico should by no means make the mistake of underestimating their Madrid neighbors. If you are looking for a Rayo Vallecano vs. Atletico Madrid home win, you will find exciting odds of 4.00 at the betting providers Unibet and bet365, which currently offer the best odds for a home win.
Predicted lineup of Rayo Vallecano:
Dimitrievski – Balliu, Suarez, Catena, Garcia – Comesaña, Valentin, Bebe, Trejo, Nteka – Guardiola
Last matches of Rayo Vallecano:
La Liga
03/13 2022 – Rayo Vallecano 1 – 1 Sevilla FC
03/06 2022 – Cadiz 2 – 0 Rayo Vallecano
Copa del Rey
03/03 2022 – Real Betis 1 – 1 Rayo Vallecano
La Liga
02/26 2022 – Rayo Vallecano 0 – 1 Real Madrid
02/18 2022 – Elche 2 – 1 Rayo Vallecano
Atletico Madrid – Statistics & current form
While things are steadily going downhill for Rayo in 2022, because the Franjirrojos partout can’t win anymore, it looks the other way around for Atletico Madrid. The reigning champions are gradually getting back on track, and Atletico have won all of their last five La Liga games. Interestingly, in each of these victories Atletico have scored at least two of their own goals.
Strong form and CL advancement: Atletico Madrid on the up
So, after weeks and months of fickle performances and results, Atleti are currently on a run – which was even gilded during the week in the Champions League. There, the Rojiblancos managed a 1-0 victory at Old Trafford at Manchester United – and thus the much-celebrated entry into the quarterfinals of the Champions League.
This should give coach Simeone’s team an even bigger boost ahead of the game in Vallecas. That’s why we see Atletico as the clear favorites in this match. Whether it’s a handicap win, easy win in the three-way, win and over goals – in Rayo Vallecano vs Atletico Madrid, the betting odds on each of these betting options are exciting in our opinion.
Predicted lineup of Atletico Madrid:
Oblak – Savic, Gimenez, Reinildo – Llorente, Koke, Herrera, De Paul, Lodi – Griezmann, Felix
Last matches played by Atletico Madrid:
Champions League final
03/15 2022 – Manchester United 0 – 1 Atletico Madrid
La Liga
03/11 2022 – Atletico Madrid 2 – 1 Cadiz
03/06 2022 – Real Betis 1 – 3 Atletico Madrid
02/26 2022 – Atletico Madrid 2 – 0 Celta Vigo
Champions League Final
02/23 2022 – Atletico Madrid 1 – 1 Manchester United
Rayo Vallecano – Atletico Madrid Direct comparison / H2H record
The direct comparison is also clearly in favor of Simeone’s eleven. Not only did Atletico win the first duel this season 2-0 in the first leg on matchday 19 – they also won eight of the last ten meetings! In fact, Atletico’s last five victories have all been by nil scores. Rayo’s last win against the Rojiblancos dates back to the 2012/13 season. The overall balance in 40 duels is: 22 wins for Atletico, ten draws and eight victories for Rayo.
Rayo Vallecano – Atletico Madrid Tip
So the omens ahead of this little Madrid city derby are clear: while Atletico are finally hitting form in the season-ending spurt, the plug has been completely pulled on Rayo since the little one-week winter break. The promoted team is still winless in La Liga in the entire 2022 calendar – and is thus in free fall.
As Atletico have not only won five league games in a row recently, but also gained a lot of confidence in their Champions League progress against Manchester United, we believe the trend will continue.
Therefore, we give our prediction on Rayo Vallecano vs Atletico Madrid: Atletico wins. We play this tip as normal in the three-way
