On Monday night, Rayo Vallecano will host Valencia in a crucial La Liga matchup. Both teams are looking to improve their positions in the league as the 2025-26 season progresses. Currently, Rayo Vallecano sits 13th with 16 points, while Valencia is in 16th place, having accumulated 13 points.
Match Insights
Rayo Vallecano’s season has been characterized by inconsistency, recording four wins, four draws, and five losses in their first 13 matches. Their last league outing ended in a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Slovan Bratislava in the Conference League. Despite this, they managed to secure draws against notable opponents Real Madrid and Real Oviedo.
Home Performance
- Rayo Vallecano has only one win in five home league matches this season.
- They have drawn three times and scored just three goals at home.
- Defensively, they have conceded three goals in their stadium.
Historically, Rayo Vallecano has faced challenges against Valencia, winning only 10 of their last 50 encounters. Their last matchup resulted in a 1-1 draw, while Valencia’s last victory against Rayo was a narrow 1-0 win in December 2023.
Valencia’s Challenges
Valencia seeks to build on their recent victory over Levante, hoping to achieve back-to-back wins in La Liga. They recorded three wins, four draws, and six losses this season. The team has primarily struggled away from home, with only two draws and four losses, marking them with the second-worst away performance.
Current Form
- Last five La Liga matches: L-D-L-L-W
- Overall league performance: 3 wins, 4 draws, and 6 defeats
Valencia finished 12th in the previous season, indicating they must enhance their performance for the current campaign. Key player Hugo Duro has scored five goals in 14 appearances this season, and he is expected to lead the attack along with Arnaut Danjuma and Diego Lopez.
Team News
Both teams face notable absences due to injuries and suspensions. Rayo Vallecano will miss Pathe Ciss and Isi Palazon due to suspension. They will also be without Abdul Mumin, Diego Mendez, Pedro Diaz, and Oscar Trejo due to injuries. Randy Nteka and Ivan Balliu’s availability will be assessed closer to match time.
For Valencia, Mouctar Diakhaby is out with a hamstring injury, while Largie Ramazani is a major doubt. Key midfielder Javi Guerra is expected to play alongside Pepelu, while veteran Jose Gaya is set to make his 388th appearance for the club.
Predicted Lineups
Rayo Vallecano
Batalla; Ratiu, Lejeune, Mendy, Chavarria; Perez, Valentin, Lopez, Garcia; De Frutos, Alemao
Valencia
Agirrezabala; Correia, Tarrega, Copete, Gaya; Guerra, Pepelu; Lopez, Almeida, Danjuma; Duro
As the match approaches, anticipation builds for this confrontation in La Liga. Rayo Vallecano aims to redeem themselves and stabilize their position, while Valencia looks to find their stride. A tight game is expected, with both teams eager to claim all three points.
