Rayo Vallecano - Sevilla predictions and free betting tips [05/02/2024]

Today as part of the 23rd tour of the Spanish Primera, Rayo Vallecano will host Sevilla on their home field. The visitors currently occupy the 16th position in the league table, just one point clear of the relegation zone, while Rayo are 13th in the overall standings, seven points ahead of their rival.

Predicted Line-ups

Rayo Vallecano: Dimitrievski; Aridane, Léjeune, Espino; Ratou, U. López, Valentín, Chavarria; Palazón, Camello, A. García.
Sevilla: Nyland; Bade, Nyanzu, Markao; Navas, Torres, Agoumé, Sumaré, Acuña; Romero, Ocampos.

Rayo Vallecano

Rayo Vallecano again find themselves in the thick of the survival struggle, proving last season's excellent performance was the exception rather than the rule. Occupying 13th place in the league with only 24 points secured, although they lead Cadiz, who are 18th, by 8 points, they cannot feel safe. The hosts have been unable to win for eight rounds in a row, losing to Valencia (0:1) and Las Palmas (0:2). Last weekend, the Madrid suburb players capitulated at the Wanda Metropolitano to Atletico Madrid with a score of 2:1 after a draw with Real Sociedad (0:0): the deciding factor was Memphis Depay's goal in the 90th minute. Notably, Rayo perform poorly at home: only 8 points have been collected from 10 matches (19th in the Primera), scoring 9 goals and conceding 18.

Having reached the quarter-finals of the African Nations Cup with Cape Verde, Bebe (2 goals this season) will not be able to feature for Rayo in the coming round. However, Senegalese Pate Cissa has returned to the club following his side's exit from the tournament in the round of 16. Unai Lopez, who was disqualified for an accumulation of yellow cards last weekend, is set to start, while Mendes is out injured. Midfielder Miguel Crespo, who moved to Rayo on loan after rarely featuring in the first half of the season for Fenerbache, could make his debut for his new club on Monday, while Jonathan Montiel moved to Burgos in search of game time.

Sevilla

Sevilla find themselves at the bottom of the Primera table, and another defeat would seriously threaten their chances of finishing in the top ten, considering they are ten points behind. The red-and-whites have not won for five rounds in a row and have even lost four times during this period. Last weekend, Sevilla drew with Osasuna (1:1) at home, as a result of which they rose to 16th place in the overall standings with 17 points secured. The current Europa League winners finished in the top four in the 2019-20, 2020-21 and 2021-22 campaigns and had to settle for 12th place last season – currently such a result would be a big success for fans. Moreover, Kike Flores' charges have the fourth worst away performance in La Liga, having secured only six points from 10 matches.

Experienced Ivan Rakitic moved to Saudi Arabia last week (Al-Shabab); Fernando returned to Brazil, and Gattoni moved to Anderlecht on loan. Among the newcomers are Frenchman Agoumé (loan, Inter) and youngster Hannibal Mejbri (Manchester United, loan). The latter is said to be causing some problems in training. Suso (1 goal, 3 assists this season), who was sent off against Osasuna, will be serving a suspension on Monday evening, as will Sergio Ramos for an accumulation of yellow cards. The guests will also be without injured Gudelj and Kike Salas in defense, while Lukebakio, Lamella and Mariano Diaz continue to recover. Striker Youssef en-Nesyri (5 goals in La Liga) has returned from international duty with the Morocco Africa Cup of Nations squad and is set to start.

Head-to-head

In the first round, Rayo scored two goals within five minutes to leave Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan with a 2:2 draw. The sides have drawn three of their last four head-to-head encounters.

Prediction for the match Rayo Vallecano - Sevilla

Undeniably, Sevilla is a more prestigious club in Spain, considering the number of trophies and player selections. However, a victory for the red-and-whites over Rayo seems rather illusory, especially considering the absence of Gudelj, Ramos, Suso, and Lukebakio due to injury. While the hosts have not been delivering impressive results in recent weeks, support from the home stands could give the players the necessary push. My prediction is a home victory with a handicap 0.