The Friday night action in Spain this week comes from Vallecas. Our Rayo Vallecano vs Espanyol prediction and La Liga betting tips consider whether the hosts can boost their European hopes with a victory.
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Rayo Vallecano vs Espanyol prediction: Both teams to score in home win
Key stats
- Our Rayo Vallecano vs Espanyol betting tips take into account that the visitors have lost 77% of their away fixtures this term in La Liga.
- Espanyol have let in 1.85 goals per game on average on their travels.
- 79% of matches in Vallecas this season have seen both teams score.
Correct score prediction: Rayo Vallecano 2-1 Espanyol
Espanyol have been in reasonably good form of late, with their level improving since the January transfer window when they made a couple of smart signings.
However, they still have a miserable away record overall, and with Rayo fresh from an impressive away win, Inigo Perez’s team look capable of edging this.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Rayo the odds-on favourites
- HOME: 8/11 (1.73) – 57.9%
- DRAW: 5/2 (3.50) – 28.6%
- AWAY: 17/4 (5.25) – 19.0%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
The hosts are the favourites according to the Rayo Vallecano vs Espanyol odds, with an implied probability of 57.9% that they win this match.
They head into the game following a 2-0 success on the road at Alaves, with Pathe Ciss and Pedro Diaz grabbing the goals.
As for Espanyol, they held Atletico Madrid to a 1-1 draw at the RCDE Stadium in their last game, with Javi Puado scoring from the spot.
For more from the upcoming matches in Europe, today’s free football betting tips look at some of the best picks.
Most recent H2Hs: Visitors targeting third win on the spin
Our Rayo Vallecano vs Espanyol prediction suggests this will go the other way to the last two meetings, both of which have been won by the Catalans.
Rayo have won two of the last three meetings in Vallecas by one-goal margins.
Spain La Liga 31/08/24
Espanyol
Rayo Vallecano
Spain La Liga 21/05/23
Rayo Vallecano
Espanyol
Spain La Liga 19/08/22
Espanyol
Rayo Vallecano
Spain La Liga 21/04/22
Espanyol
Rayo Vallecano
Spain La Liga 05/12/21
Rayo Vallecano
Espanyol
Rayo Vallecano preview: Perez missing two
Striker Sergio Camello and defender Abdul Mumin are both out injured for the home team. Jonathan Montiel is a doubt.
Predicted Lineup: Batalla (GK), Chavarria, A. Hernandez, Lejeune, Ratiu, Diaz, Ciss, Palazon, A. Garcia, Nteka & De Frutos
Spain La Liga 09/05/25
W Las Palmas 0 Rayo Vallecano 1 Spain La Liga 02/05/25
W Getafe 0 Rayo Vallecano 1 Spain La Liga 24/04/25
L Atletico Madrid 3 Rayo Vallecano 0 Spain La Liga 19/04/25
D Valencia 1 Rayo Vallecano 1 Spain La Liga 13/04/25
L Athletic Bilbao 3 Rayo Vallecano 1
Espanyol preview: Gragera the only absentee
The visitors are at full strength for this one, with the exception of their injured midfielder Jose Gragera.
Predicted Lineup: J. Garcia (GK), Romero, Cabrera, Kumbulla, El Hilali, Lozano, Gonzalez de Zarate, Kral, Puado, R. Fernandez & Carreras
Spain La Liga 11/05/25
L Leganes 3 Espanyol 2 Spain La Liga 04/05/25
L Real Betis 2 Espanyol 1 Spain La Liga 27/04/25
L Villarreal 1 Espanyol 0 Spain La Liga 22/04/25
D Valencia 1 Espanyol 1 Spain La Liga 18/04/25
W Getafe 0 Espanyol 1
Player to watch – Jorge de Frutos
In the absence of a convincing striker, Rayo have depended on their midfield and wide players for goals this term. Winger Jorge de Frutos has chipped in with six goals and three assists in 28 appearances overall this term.
De Frutos offering a varied threat
The ex-Levante man is averaging 1.5 shots, 1.0 dribbles and 1.0 key passes per game in La Liga. He’s the only Rayo player averaging one or more in each of those metrics.