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Rayo Vallecano will welcome Athletic Bilbao to Estadio de Vallecas for their La Liga clash on Saturday.
The hosts have been a tough team to beat at this stadium and will look to extend their unbeaten home streak in this competition to 13 games.
Athletic Bilbao, on the other hand, will set their sights on moving up to the European spots.
Read our Rayo Vallecano vs Athletic Bilbao prediction, preview and betting tips below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
Rayo Vallecano vs Athletic Bilbao key stats
- Five of Athletic Bilbao's last six matches went below the 2.5-goal line.
- Rayo Vallecano's last seven games have all featured goals at both ends.
- Athletic Bilbao are unbeaten in the last nine H2Hs.
Rayo Vallecano vs Athletic Bilbao preview: Can the hosts hold their own?
Rayo Vallecano vs Athletic Bilbao — Tale of the Tape
| Rayo Vallecano | vs | Athletic Bilbao |
|---|---|---|
| 12th | Position | 10th |
| 8 | Points | 8 |
| 11 | Goals For | 7 |
| 16 | Goals Against | 6 |
| 0 | Clean Sheets | 3 |
| 8th | Home / Away Rank | 11th |
*These figures were accurate at the time of publishing.
Rayo Vallecano played out a 1-1 draw with Osasuna in their last La Liga outing before the international break.
Benat San Jose's troops have been impressive at Estadio de Vallecas over the past year; they have won back-to-back home games, are unbeaten in their last 12 league outings at this stadium, and have lost only once at home in La Liga over the past 12 months.
As things stand, Rayo Vallecano are 12th in the Spanish top flight with a 2-2-3 win-draw-loss record. Augusto Batalla (fractured tibia) and Luiz Felipe (hamstring) are both ruled out, while Ivan Balliu, Adria Pedrosa, and Randy Nteka are all doubtful due to fitness concerns.
Pathe Ciss has been booked in his last three league games, and will require caution on Saturday to avoid suspension. Sergio Camello has been the most outstanding forward for the hosts so far, having netted seven top flight goals in as many appearances.
The 25-year-old scored the equaliser against Osasuna and will look to add to his tally as the hosts eye a third consecutive home win.
On the other hand, Athletic Bilbao defeated neighbours Real Sociedad by a single goal in a friendly match last Friday.
The Basque giants are now on a five-match unbeaten run across all competitions, keeping four clean sheets during that stretch.
Like their opponents, Athletic Club have earned eight top-flight points this season. They will be without Nico Williams (thigh), Oihan Sancet (calf), and Maroan Sannadi (muscle).
Interestingly, the visitors have had a great track record against Rayo Vallecano, as they are unbeaten in the last nine H2Hs and have no losses in their last seven trips to this stadium.
Rayo Vallecano vs Athletic Bilbao form guide & betting tips
| Rayo Vallecano | vs | Athletic Bilbao |
|---|---|---|
L
W
L
W
D
|
La Liga Form |
L
W
W
D
D
|
| 7 | Points | 8 |
| 10th | Form Table | 6th |
| 9 | Goals For | 6 |
| 13 | Goals Against | 3 |
L
W
L
W
D
|
Form (All Comps) |
W
W
D
D
W
|
Whispers Predicts: Rayo Vallecano 1-1 Athletic Bilbao
Priced at 8/5 (2.60), Athletic Bilbao are considered favourites by the bookies ahead of this skirmish.
Although the visitors have been the dominant side in this fixture over the past decade, they are up against a Rayo side that have lost only one home league match in the last 12 months. Keeping in mind that Athletic Club's last two league outings ended in stalemates, we are confident that the spoils will be shared after all is said and done.
Both teams were on the scoresheet in Rayo Vallecano's last five games and this can be backed at 3/4 (1.75).
We also fancy under 2.5 total goals at 19/20 (1.95), as was the case in five of the visiting team's last six fixtures.
> Under 2.5 total goals at 19/20 (1.95) | Likelihood: Probable
> BTTS – Yes at 3/4 (1.75) | Likelihood: Probable
> Match result: Draw at 5/2 (3.50) | Likelihood: Possible
> Draw & BTTS – Yes at 13/4 (4.25) | Likelihood: Possible
> Correct Score: 1-1 at 26/5 (6.20) | Likelihood: Possible