The La Liga Matchday 26 clash between Rayo Vallecano de Madrid S. A. D. and Athletic Club Bilbao will take place on 28 February at the Estadio de Vallecas in Madrid. Rayo Vallecano vs Athletic Club Bilbao: prediction, betting odds and statistics.
Rayo Vallecano de Madrid S. A. D.
A week ago, Rayo Vallecano de Madrid S. A. D. drew away to impressive Real Betis (1:1). The home team have now taken at least a point in back-to-back Primera Division matches, although prior to that they endured an unpleasant run of three straight defeats in this competition. That has helped the hosts slightly improve their situation in the standings: they are 15th, with a two-point cushion over the relegation zone. They also have a game in hand. It is also worth noting that, in this La Liga season, the club have scored 22 goals in total - only Getafe (20) and Oviedo (16) have a worse record by that metric.
- Both teams have scored in five of the last seven league matches involving the Madrid club.
- Five of the club's last six matches in this competition have gone over the total.
- Rayo Vallecano de Madrid S. A. D. have not scored more than one goal in 13 of their last 15 matches in the Primera Division.
Potential Rayo Vallecano de Madrid S. A. D. Lineup (4-5-1)*
Augusto Batalla - Andrei Ratiu, Florian Lejeune, Nobel Mendy, Alfonso Espino - Oscar Valentin, Gerard Gumbau, Isi Palazon, Ilyas Akhomach, Fran Perez - Jorge De Frutos.
Athletic Club Bilbao
The Basque side continue their push towards the European places. Last Friday, Athletic Club Bilbao snatched a late win at home to Elche (2:1), meaning the away team have now won three consecutive La Liga matches - matching their best run of the current season. They have also gone four league games without defeat. Having collected 10 points since the start of February, the squad have overtaken several rivals and climbed from 13th to eighth in the standings. The club's gap to sixth place has been cut to three points.
- Both teams have scored in eight consecutive Athletic Club Bilbao matches in the Primera Division.
- The Basque side have scored in five of their last six away matches in this competition.
- Five of the club's last six La Liga fixtures have gone over the total.
Potential Athletic Club Bilbao Lineup (4-2-3-1)*
Unai Simon - Inigo Lekue, Dani Vivian, Aymeric Laporte, Yuri Berchiche - Alejandro Rego Mora, Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta - Inaki Williams, Unai Gomez, Oihan Sancet - Gorka Guruzeta.
Defender Unai Egiluz, midfielder Benat Prados, and forwards Nico Williams and Maroan Sannadi will miss out through injury.
Rayo Vallecano vs Athletic Club Bilbao: Match Prediction
Rayo Vallecano de Madrid S. A. D. are gradually improving and climbing the table. After a run of three defeats in La Liga, the home team have taken four points from a possible six against Atletico Madrid and Real Betis. However, to open up a comfortable gap to the relegation zone, the squad need noticeably more wins. Since the start of November, the club have won only two of their last 14 matches in the Spanish top flight. And now Rayo Vallecano de Madrid S. A. D. face another tough test.
Athletic Club Bilbao have come through a lengthy slump, but since the start of February they have taken 10 points from a possible 12 in the Primera Division. After a draw in the derby against Real Sociedad in this competition, the away side have followed up with three straight wins. They now have an excellent chance to extend that run, as Rayo Vallecano de Madrid S. A. D. can be considered one of their more favourable opponents. Athletic Club Bilbao are unbeaten in eight head-to-head La Liga meetings, and in seven of those eight matches the Basque side took all three points.
Prediction: Athletic Club Bilbao, double chance
* For each team, the starting XI listed is the lineup from their previous match in this competition.
