Girona - Rayo Vallecano predictions and free betting tips [26/02/2024]

Today within the framework of the 26th round of the Spanish Primera, Girona will host Rayo Vallecano on its home pitch. Michel's team has ceased the fight for the title, conceding in duels with Real and Athletic Bilbao, while Rayo has been without victory for six games in a row.

Girona

After an incredible first half of the La Liga season, Girona is slowing down in recent weeks. Sitting in second place, the Catalans failed to pick up a single point at San Mamés just seven days ago (losing 3:2 to Athletic Bilbao). Previously, the white-maroon suffered a heavy defeat at Santiago Bernabeu against Real Madrid (4:0) and drew at home with Real Sociedad (0:0). Having gathered only one point in the last three rounds, the Blanquivermell allowed Barcelona to re-enter the race for second place, and there is no doubt that the capital's Athletico and Athletic are also hoping to take their chance to reduce the gap in the overall standings. It should be noted that the hosts have the fourth best home performance in La Liga this season, scoring 29 points in 12 games in front of their supporters.

Daley Blind may miss the match due to injury once again, as well as Justin, Roca (who haven't played a single match this season) and Toni Villa (recovering from a cruciate ligament rupture). David López is also still absent from the squad with a muscle strain. Yann Couto, who was sent off in the match against Real, did not play against Athletic (disqualified) and is likely to return to the starting lineup this time. Ukrainian forward Dovbyk (14 goals), who is third in the league's top scorers' table, will be responsible for creative efforts in attack, as will his compatriot Tsygankov (5 goals, 3 assists). Experienced Porto will be on the substitutes' bench, while Savio will keep his place on the left flank; Ivan Martin will play as a false number ten.

Rayo Vallecano

Rayo Vallecano suffered defeats in February from Atletico Madrid (2:1) and Mallorca (2:1). As a result, the white-reds have not known victory in the championship for six games in a row, and last weekend the team drew 1:1 with Real Madrid: Joselu put the Blanco ahead, but Raul de Tomas equalised with a penalty on the 27th minute. This success was preceded by a shuffle on the coaching bridge: Inigo Perez replaced Francisco as the capital side's head coach on 14th February, and the 36-year-old specialist will be hoping for another positive result on Monday. Overall, "Rayo" has accumulated 25 points, which allows them to take 14th place in the league table, eight points ahead of the relegation zone. The Franjirrojos have done well on the road in the current campaign: 16 out of 25 points have been collected, with 11 goals scored and 12 conceded.

Not in the capital club's lineup are Isa Palazon (3 goals in La Liga), who will be serving a suspension for exceeding yellow cards, while Chavarria (11 matches this season) and Mendes are injured. As for the rest, Rayo will travel to Catalonia in optimal form, including the main offensive force in their attack - Raul de Tomas. Jorge de Frutos is expected to get a chance due to Palazon's absence as he will launch from the flank while Alvaro Garcia will operate on the opposite brow. Radamel Falcao and Sergio Camelo, as expected, will once again find themselves on the substitutes' bench to beef up the game in the second half.

Head-to-Head

This season, Rayo has twice lost to Girona - 2:1 in La Liga in November and 3:1 in the Copa del Rey in January.

Match Prediction for Girona - Rayo Vallecano

Girona, in the last three rounds, squandered their chances of the championship and will now attempt to defend second place in the table. Rayo has won only one of the last 14 matches in La Liga and no longer has any real tournament motivation - the gap from the relegation zone is a comfortable 8 points. I believe that the Catalans will redeem themselves in front of their home crowd and come out on top Monday night.