Alaves vs Rayo Vallecano: who will come out on top in this match?
On Wednesday, 14 January, we will witness a Round of 16 clash in the Spanish Copa del Rey, where Alaves will face Rayo Vallecano. Kick-off is scheduled for 21:00 CET, and I am offering a betting pick for this fixture.
Alaves vs Rayo Vallecano: match facts and head-to-head
- Alaves are winless in three consecutive matches: two defeats and one draw.
- Rayo Vallecano are unbeaten in three straight matches and have lost just one of their previous seven.
- Rayo Vallecano have conceded goals in their last four matches, while Alaves have done so in three in a row.
- Alaves have kept a clean sheet in 23% of their matches this season, Rayo in 14%.
- Both teams have lost 27% of their matches this season without scoring.
- Rayo Vallecano beat Alaves 1–0 in the most recent head-to-head meeting.
- Rayo Vallecano have defeated Alaves in each of the last three encounters.
Alaves vs Rayo Vallecano: match preview
Alaves are without a win in three consecutive matches, losing two of them. The team have dropped to 16th place in the La Liga table and are only two points clear of the relegation zone. In the Copa del Rey, Alaves started from the second round. They thrashed Deportivo Getxo 7–0, then cruised past Portugalete 3–0, and in the previous round managed to eliminate Sevilla with a 1–0 victory. Notably, it was after that win that Alaves went three matches without a victory.
Rayo Vallecano sit higher in the La Liga standings. After 19 rounds, the team have collected 22 points, holding a five-point cushion above the relegation zone and trailing the European places by seven points. Their current form is slightly better: three matches unbeaten, with two wins. One of those victories came in the Copa del Rey. Rayo also began their cup campaign in the second round, where they defeated Yuncos 6–1, then edged Real Ávila 2–1 after extra time and beat Granada 3–1.
Probable line-ups
- Alaves: Antonio Sivera, Jonny, Parada, Jon Pacheco, Tenaglia, Pablo Ibáñez, Blanco, Guridi, Aleñá, Toni Martínez, Carlos Vicente
- Rayo Vallecano: Batalla, Lejeune, Pep Chavarría, Raţiu, Mendy, Óscar Valentín, Pedro Díaz, De Frutos, Isi Palazón, Álvaro García, Carlos Martín
Prediction
This is a highly intriguing clash between two La Liga sides. Alaves are lower in the table, but they are still capable of putting up a fight. However, I do not expect a high-scoring game and therefore recommend betting on under 2.5 total goals, with odds of 1.43.
