Rayo Vallecano vs Mallorca prediction, H2H and probable lineups - 11 January 2026
One of the matches of La Liga's 19th round will take place on Sunday at the "Vallecas" stadium in Madrid, where Rayo Vallecano will host Mallorca. Both teams are languishing in the lower part of the table and are locked in a head-to-head survival battle. I'm backing a bet on low scoring in this clash, with a strong chance of success.
Match preview
Íñigo Pérez's side kicked off 2026 with a draw against Getafe in La Liga and a Copa del Rey win over Granada. However, their scoring woes continue to haunt the "Bees"—just two goals in their last eight league matches, despite decent organization on the pitch. Too often, their attacking moves break down, and a lack of sharpness in the final third is costing them valuable points.
Squad issues are also plaguing Rayo. Losses in defense and midfield, along with the absence of Alexander Aleman up front, limit their rotation options. With every match potentially decisive, this is a risky factor. Compared to their direct rival in the standings, the "Bees" look vulnerable.
The "Islanders" lost to Girona in their first game of the year, but overall, they're trying to show fighting spirit. In the last six rounds, they've managed just one win, but with few defeats and several draws, they're keeping their heads above water. Crucially, this team fights in every match and has the ability to come from behind.
Mallorca have significantly fewer absentees than their opponents. Arrasate has the flexibility to shuffle his lineup, and the returns of Raíllo and Mascarell bolster his options in midfield. Mallorca also boast an excellent head-to-head record against Rayo Vallecano—unbeaten in almost four years, which gives them confidence ahead of this trip to the capital.
Probable lineups
- Rayo Vallecano: Batalla, Chavarría, Mendy, Lejeune, Ratiu, Valentín, López, Martín, Palazón, De Frutos, García
- Mallorca: Román, Maffeo, Valjent, Kumbulla, Mojica, Costa, Sánchez, Mascarell, Virgili, Muriqi, Josep
Match facts and head-to-head
- Mallorca have not lost to Rayo Vallecano since January 2022—seven matches unbeaten.
- In four of the last six head-to-head meetings, at least one team failed to score.
- Rayo Vallecano haven't won in La Liga since late October—a run of nine matches without a victory.
Prediction
Both teams are out of form, but Mallorca look slightly more stable thanks to fewer injury problems and a positive head-to-head record. Given Rayo Vallecano's poor scoring form, don't expect fireworks. In the end, a draw seems like the logical outcome, and the recommended bet is “Under 2.5 goals” at odds of 1.62.
