Football
Leganes vs Rayo Vallecano Preview: Tips, Odds and Prediction
Date: January 31, 2025 Kickoff Time: 21:00 Local Time (22:00 ET/ 09:00 PT) Venue: Estadio Municipal de Butarque Leganes and Rayo Vallecano have done well in their most recent La Liga games as both teams are without defeats in three and five games respectively. In their last games in the preceding weekend, both got positive results, a draw for Leganes and a win for Vallecano. Their encounter, set for Friday night, and the first for the weekend, will set the tone for what is to come. We preview the match in detail for sports bettors looking for reliable bookmakers for betting.
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Rayo Vallecano v CD Leganes - La Liga EA Sports//Getty Images
Leganes vs Rayo Vallecano Preview
Leganes’ form over the last five games has lifted them out La Liga’s danger zone for relegation, with only one loss in that period. They have done well having won eight points out of a possible fifteen and find themselves in position sixteenth, three points ahead of Alaves.
Rayo Vallecano, on the other hand, are having a good season as far as expectations go. Naturally, many would have expected them to be at the bottom along with their hosts fighting for survival, but that is not the case, being in the top ten currently and unbeaten in their last five games.
Pre-Game Odds and Win Probability: Close Encounter Tipped By Bookies
Home: 2/1 (3.0) 33.3%
Draw: 2/1 (3.0) 33.3%
Away: 31/20 (2.55) 33.9
*Odds courtesy of Bet Tilt, subject to change
Head-to-Head record
Both teams have spent a considerable amount of time of out of Spain’s premier division, La Liga, and have met only once in the top league in their last five games, in a 1-1 draw, which was the first round of this fixture.
Leganes have not beat Vallecano since 2020 and would be hoping to get one over them looking at the latter’s dominance over the years.
Last 5 Meetings
28/09/24: Rayo Vallecano 1-1 Leganes
06/06/21: Leganes 1-2 Rayo Vallecano
03/06/21: Rayo Vallecano 3-0 Leganes
10/05/21: Rayo Vallecano 1-1 Leganes
02/12/20: Leganes 1-0 Rayo Vallecano
Leganes Current Form – DWDLW
Leganes have only lost once in their last five encounters and managed to pull themselves out of the relegation slugfest. A 0-0 draw last time out against Athletic Bilbao was a positive result considering how good the latter have been this season.
In their other La Liga encounters, Leganes secured impressive victories against title chasers Atletico Madrid and Barcelona. These two victories will be added incentive to take the scalp of another top ten side.
Athletic Club v CD Leganes - La Liga EA Sports//Getty Images
Key Players to Watch
- Valentine Rosier: Rosier had a good run the last time out for his team, containing Nico Williams and his brother who interchange on the wings. The fullback’s performance in that game indicates a similar return against Vallecano.
- Daniel Raba: Despite not scoring the last time out, we predict Daniel Raba will give the visiting team’s defenders a tough time out as they will probably be more attacking in this game.
- Seydouba Cisse: Defense was their strongest weapon against Bilbao and having a strong midfield is a necessary buffer for the backline. That is what Seydouba Cisse will give his team on the day.
Leganes Team News
Enrique Franquesa is the team’s long-term injury and is only expected back later this year in September, while Renato Tapia is only nursing a calf injury, with no indication of his return or otherwise for this fixture.
Rayo Vallecano Current Form – WDWDD
No one would have tipped Rayo to be in position seven at this point of the season, just one point away from a Conference League position, having finished seventeenth in the preceding season.
The Madrid team are unbeaten in their last five games and have won nine out of a possible fifteen points. They have wins against Girona and Celta Vigo, as well as three draws against Osasuna, Real Betis and Villarreal with only five goals conceded in that period.
Key Players to Watch
- Randy Nteka: Two goals the last time out in their 2-1 win over Girona coming from the midfield, Randy Nteka’s overall confidence will be boosted heading into this game.
- Unai Lopez: Nteka’s midfield partner, Unai Lopez also had a good run in his team’s last game and was one of the standout players. His combination with Nteka will prove to be too bullish for Leganes and might just be the difference on the day.
- Augusto Batalla: We predict Leganes to approach this game looking to be more attacking and as the last line of defense, Batalla’s role will be important for his team.
Rayo Vallecano Team News
Inigo Perez has a full squad complement for this game with no players serving suspension or out nursing injuries.
Predicted Line-ups
Leganes: 4-4-2
Dmitrovic, Rosier, Gonzalez, Nastasic, Cruz, Altimira, Neyou, Cisse, Brasanac, Ruba, De La Fuente
Rayo Vallecano: 4-4-2
Batalla, Ratiu, Lejeune, Mumin, Chavarria, Embarba, Nteka, Lopez, De Frutos, Palazon, Camello
Suggested Bets
Looking at both teams’ form, we went for varied markets in our suggested bets, with Total Goals and a Double Chance in the match result category.
Total Goals – Under 3.5: We do not predict a high-scoring game and therefore predict there to not be more than three goals in 90 minutes. (4/25 with Sportbet.io).
Rayo Vallecano Total Goals – Over 0.5: Leganes have not been able to keep a clean sheet in their last five games, and we do not predict any change coming into this encounter. Rayo will get at least one goal. (43/100 with Betway).
Match Result – Double Chance Leganes/Rayo Vallecano: Looking at how tight the odds are, with there being no clear favourite tipped by the bookies, we predict either team can get a win on the day. Their overall recent form is similar, and that is another factor we considered. (23/50 with BC.Game).
Value Bets
We have a balanced selection of value bets, have a look and pick your favourite.
First Half Result – Leganes Win: Home advantage is a factor we considered for this market because we predict Leganes to fancy themselves, especially looking at their recent results against teams higher up. (27/10 with N1Bet).
Anytime Goal Scorer – Randy Nteka: With two goals in his last appearance, we predict Nteka to possibly pull it off again against Leganes. He is a scoring midfielder by nature, very creative and always in the last-third. (21/5 with Stake).
Match Result and Both Teams to Score – Leganes and Yes: This is an outside market but highly possible considering that both teams do not have solid defenses, with Leganes also having a chance of winning this game looking at the odds across the different betting platforms. (32/5 with Betway).
Prediction: Leganes to Win
No clear favourites in this one, but because of their ability to beat La Liga’s top teams this season, we predict Leganes can pose a threat to Vallecano and walk away with a win. Home ground advantage is another incentive that will spur them on. (213/100 with 1xBet).
Based in Johannesburg, South Africa, Jimmy holds a Diploma in Journalism and Media Studies. He’s a passionate sports enthusiast with broad knowledge across various disciplines.
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