The LaLiga matchday 17 fixture between Elche and Rayo Vallecano will take place on December 21 at the Manuel Martínez Valero Stadium. Elche vs Rayo Vallecano: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Elche
In the last round the team lost to Mallorca after conceding two late goals (1-3). Elche have recorded just one win in their last nine league matches, suffering five defeats over that run, despite an earlier unbeaten start of seven matches this season. In LaLiga, Eder Sarabia's side have so far only lost on the road. At home they have an equal number of wins and draws in this competition – four apiece – averaging exactly two points per game. The newly promoted side sit 11th in the table.
- The club scored in five of their previous six Primera División meetings.
- Elche conceded no more than one goal in 11 of their last 12 league matches.
- At least two goals were scored in five of the team's last six matches in this competition.
Predicted line-up for Elche (4-3-3)*
Iñaki Peña – Álvaro Núñez, David Affengruber, Víctor Chust, Pedro Bigas – Marc Aguado, Aleix Febas, Martim Neto – Jherman Valera, Yago de Santiago, Rafa Mir.
Forwards Grady Diangana and André Silva are injured.
Rayo Vallecano
The club's last LaLiga outing finished goalless against Real Betis (0-0), leaving Rayo without a win in six league matches (four draws, two defeats). That run follows an impressive October spell of three straight wins. As a result, the current European competition participant now sit 13th. The main concern is their lack of goals – Madrid side failed to score in five of their last six Primera División matches. Across the campaign the team have scored 13 goals in total, with only Oviedo on fewer (7).
- Rayo Vallecano have covered the +1.5 handicap in five LaLiga matches.
- No more than two goals have been scored in five consecutive league games for the club.
- At least one team failed to score in five of Rayo's last matches in this competition.
Predicted line-up for Rayo Vallecano (4-2-3-1)*
Augusto Batalla – Andrei Rațiu, Florian Lejeune, Nobel Mendy, Pep Chavarría – Óscar Valentín, Pape Siss – Isi Palazón, Alfonso Espino, Jorge de Frutos – Álvaro García.
Unai López's suspension has ended, but defender Andrei Rațiu now serves a ban. Midfielders Pape Siss and Randy Nteka have left for their national teams to take part in the Africa Cup of Nations. Defender Abdul Mumin, forward Aleman and midfielder Jorge de Frutos are unavailable due to injury.
Match prediction: Elche vs Rayo Vallecano
Elche can be described as a typical home side that often struggles on the road but immediately transforms in front of their own supporters. Since returning to LaLiga the club did not lose any of their first eight home matches, recording an equal number of wins and draws – four each. Overall, Elche's unbeaten home run in this competition stands at 12 games (six wins, six draws).
Rayo Vallecano remain in a slump, without a win in six LaLiga rounds (four draws, two defeats). In five of those six matches the Madrid side failed to score. On the road they have managed only two wins in their last eight LaLiga away fixtures. Additionally, Rayo have lost five of the last seven head-to-head meetings in this competition, and have suffered four consecutive away defeats to Elche.
My prediction – Elche with a 0 handicap (draw no bet)
* For each team the starting XI shown is from their previous match in this competition.
