Villarreal and Rayo Vallecano have enjoyed highly promising starts to their La Liga campaigns, hinting that this could be a much more competitive affair than the one-sided H2H history suggests.
Match News and Current Form
Only pacesetters Real Madrid and Barcelona have won more La Liga matches this season than third-placed Villarreal (W6, D2, L2) after their 2-0 win over Valencia last Saturday, with their lofty position at the ten-game mark an excellent platform on which to build. Not since 2010/11 have they bettered their current mark of 20 points at this stage of a campaign, but there is no room for complacency at La Cerámica, as although they are undefeated there in the league since March (W8, D3), the Yellow Submarine have tasted victory in just one of their last five encounters in all competitions no matter the venue (D2, L2).
Rayo Vallecano’s October could not have gone much better, as they won all three of their league games, culminating in an historic 1-0 victory over Alavés last Sunday which saw them triumph in three successive top-flight matches without conceding for the very first time. That defensive resilience has propelled the Red Sashes firmly into the fight for European qualification, although if they are to maintain their top-half position and keep that dream alive, they will be targeting a little more consistency away from home in La Liga (W3, L3).
Head-to-Head History
Villarreal are unbeaten in the last four H2Hs (W2, D2), while in La Liga, these two have never played out a goalless draw (Villarreal: W14, D5, L5). Villarreal have also won eight of the last ten meetings between the sides that they have hosted (D1, L1).
Hot Stats and Streaks
Only Athletic Bilbao have conceded fewer first-half goals than Villarreal’s two in La Liga this term.
None of Villarreal’s last four league games have featured a goal before the 40th minute.
Rayo’s last five La Liga matches have each produced an odd number of goals.
The side scoring first has won each of Rayo’s six league away fixtures this season.
Key Players to Watch and Missing Players
Gerard Moreno netted his first goal of the season for Villarreal against Valencia with his fourth consecutive strike from the penalty spot, two of which were in injury time. Álvaro García has scored in three of Rayo’s last four away fixtures and eight of his last nine La Liga goals have come on the road, with four of those nine goals making it 1-0.
Neither side appear to have any new injury concerns.
For all the latest team news, please check the Flashscore match centre.
Betting Analysis
With Villarreal very difficult to beat at home and Rayo on a high after their record-breaking win last weekend, this has all the makings of a tight contest, so our tip is to back the draw.
Author: John Pennington