Rayo Vallecano and Celta Vigo will square up this Thursday in the 14th round of the 2022/23 La Liga season.
Venue: Campo de Futbol de Vallecas (Madrid)
Key Statistics
Rayo Vallecano are unbeaten in their last five games (W3, D2).
They have scored 2+ goals in five of their last ten home matches
The hosts are winless in their last three matches against Celta Vigo in La Liga and have suffered only one four-game winless run against the visitors in their history.
But Rayo Vallecano have won 12 of their 16 home games against Celta Vigo in La Liga – their highest win percentage against an opponent they have faced at least ten times at Estadio de Vallecas.
Celta Vigo have lost their last five away matches conceding 15 goals in the process.
Only Elche (18) have let in more goals away from home ahead of this contest (15).
The visitors have conceded 2+ goals in eight of their last 13 matches this season.
They are winless in their last six competitive games (D1, L5).
Head to head
Rayo Vallecano have an excellent record against Celta Vigo and have won 14 of the last 26 matches played between the two teams, while Celta Vigo have five wins.
Latest performances in all competitions
Rayo Vallecano: W-W-W-D-D
Celta Vigo: L-L-D-L-L
Rayo Vallecano
It has been a very positive season in La Liga campaign for Rayo Vallecano who come into this tie sitting comfortably in the top half of the table after 13 rounds.
The hosts stunned Real Madrid last time out, beating Los Blancos 3-2 at home, becoming the first team to beat the La Liga giants in La Liga this season. 21 points from 13 games represents their third-best start to a top-flight season in their history and manager Andoni Iraola will hope to keep his side going in that direction ahead of the World Cup break.
The Vallecans are now unbeaten in five matches (W3, D2), winning all of their last three and scoring nine goals in the process. The manner of their performances and the stature of sides they have taken points from them this term has earned them plenty of plaudits, with victories over Sevilla and Valencia, whilst also holding Barcelona and Atlético Madrid to draws.
So they are comfortable mixing with the division’s elite and will fancy their chances of getting a win here.
Possible Rayo Vallecano starting line-up
Stole Dimitrievski; Ivan Balliu, Florian Lejeune, Alejandro Catena, Fran García; Óscar Valentín, Santi Comesaña; Isi Palazón, Oscar Trejo, García Rivera; Camello Pérez.
Injured: None
Doubtful: Andrés Martín
Suspended: None
Celta Vigo
Celta Vigo are still looking to get their season started after 13 rounds of matches due to false dawns and inconsistencies.
The visitors have endured a miserable start to the season, having won just three games and losing eight times (D2). They come into this game on the back of a 2-1 defeat to Osasuna.
Carlos Carvalhal became the fifth Celta manager in four years to lose his first game in charge, with the club currently amid their joint-second-worst start in the three-points-per-win era.
This has left Celta Vigo far from that elite category this campaign, as they sit inside the relegation zone, having not won any of their last six games (D1, L5).
Travel sickness has been the major issue for the visitors this term, with the Sky Blues losing their last five La Liga road trips, conceding 15 goals in the process. Only bottom-placed dwellers Elche have conceded more goals away from home ahead of this contest, so the defence will be an area for improvement under the new boss.
However, hopes remain slim here regardless, given their miserable recent record at Rayo, with Celta having lost ten of their last 11 top-flight visits (D1).
Possible Celta Vigo starting line-up
Agustin Marchesín; Oscar Mingueza, Joseph Aidoo, Unai Núñez, Javi Galán; Carles Pérez, Fran Beltrán, O. Rodríguez Arnaiz, Franco Cervi; Iago Aspas, J. Strand Larsen.
Injured: Augusto Solari, Hugo Mallo, Luca de la Torre
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Prediction
Rayo Vallecano 2-1 Celta Vigo
