Steven Perez
Dailysports's expert
Rayo Vallecano
Almeria
100% Bonus up to $108
On February 6, Campo de Futbol de Vallecas (Madrid) will host the match of the 20th round of the La Liga, in which Rayo Vallecano will compete with Almeria. The battle will start at 21:00 CET
Rayo Vallecano
The team appeared, once again, in the Primera the previous but one year ago. Everyone thought that the “elevator” that had raised through the play-offs, from the 6th place, being under the rule of a young and inexperienced mentor, Andoni Iraola, would be relegated. Nevertheless, the team was able to demonstrate a good game in the La Liga, especially in the first half of the season and in the Copa del Rey, where it reached the semi-finals. Speaking about the following temporada, the club also has got bright segments, which are periodically changed by unsuccessful ones. The winter did not start in the best way: the team stopped in the Copa del Rey after the battle with Sporting in Gijon and was defeated by Betis. At the same time, 2 out of 3 previous rounds were victorious – those were the struggles with Valladolid and, that was a real sensation, Villarreal. Moreover, both times the success was in the away games. As a result, the modest metropolitan club suddenly found itself in the 7th position of the standings, which is in the European competitions zone.
Almeria
The team, after having a rather long break, spends its first season in the Spanish elite division. Nevertheless, Turki Al-Sheikh’s finance, who is the current owner of the club, and Rubi’s talents as a coach did give any positive result. The specialist and his wards appeared in the Primera from the second attempt. Nowadays, the long and painstaking work effected the game – “the Rojiblancos” seem to be quite confident in the La Liga, and, most likely, will achieve the goals for the season ahead of schedule – they will prevent a relegation to the Segunda. The previous round resulted in the confident 3-1 victory of the newcomers, who beat Espanyol in the home battle. Still, there is no surprise: only 1 out of 5 matches was lost in the championship in the winter, moreover, that only defeat was made by Real Sociedad, which is among the leaders of the tournament. All in all, its asset includes 22 points, and this result allows the team to stay near the “equator” of the standings.
The statistics of head-to-head matches
Taking into account the previous but one season that was in the Segunda, the teams exchanged away victories. But in October, being in the Primera, Almeria was stronger – it had got a 3-1 triumph.
Predictions
Bookmakers believe that Rayo Vallecano will win in the following home battle. Nevertheless, taking into account that both clubs are in good shape, it is worth betting on a neutral result – “total: over 2.5” (odd: 2.03).
100% Bonus up to $108
