Rayo Vallecano vs Villarreal betting tips: La Liga preview, predictions and odds

Recommended bets

Villarreal have won their last three meetings with Rayo Vallecano, scoring seven times and conceding just once. However, they're winless in three league visits to Vallecas, losing there in both 2015 and 2016. 

Under 2.5 goals is 4/5.

Draw and under 2.5 goals is 7/2.

Radamel Falcao has scored in all four career appearances against Villarreal, netting a whopping eight times in total. El Tigre is 7/1 to break the deadlock and 12/5 to maintain this record. 

Match preview

Villarreal may have reached the Champions League semi-finals this season but they're clinging onto a European place domestically.

At the weekend, el Submarino Amarillo were involved in a very dramatic game against Sevilla at Estadio de la Cerámica.

Giovani Lo Celso thought he'd won it for the home side, breaking the deadlock four minutes from the end, only for Sevilla to equaliser deep into stoppage time.

This means Unai Emery's men have only won two of their last seven La Liga matches, only beating Getafe and Valencia in this period.

So, Villarreal remain seventh, which is the Europa Conference League spot, but they could yet finish higher or lower.

Sixth-placed Real Sociedad, who they face on Sunday, are just three points ahead while Athletic Club in eighth are only one point behind.

Thus, last season's Europa League winners still have it all to play for.

Rayo Vallecano meanwhile were fourth on New Years' Day but subsequently failed to win any of their first 13 La Liga matches in 2022.

This streak was finally broken last month when los Franjirrojos enjoyed back-to-back 1-0 wins in Catalonia, beating both Espanyol and Barcelona.

Since, Andoni Iraola's side have drawn both games, against Real Sociedad and Getafe, with all of this leaving them 12th.

Despite their topsy-turvy campaign, given that Rayo were the pre-season favourites to go straight back down, this represents a solid season.

Only four clubs have left Campo de Fútbol de Vallecas victorious this season, so can Villarreal make that five?

Rayo Vallecano team news

Radamel Falcao once scored four times for Porto in a Europa League semi-final first leg against Villarreal, 11 years ago now.

Overall, the Colombian striker has scored eight times in just four appearances against the Yellow Submarine.

Thus, the 36 year old will be hoping to start this one, displacing Randy Nteka up front, with Sergi Guardiola the other option.

Goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski has kept three clean sheets in his last four appearances, despite conceding in seven successive games before this.

Villarreal team news

Top-scorer Arnaut Danjuma is currently out injured while Gerard Moreno, who's season has been blighted by injury, also missed the weekend game against Sevilla.

If they're still without both, Boulaye Dia could continue to lead the line with Paco Alcácer the alternative.

Pervis Estupiñán will continue at left-back in the continued absence of Alberto Moreno.

La Liga table:

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