Villarreal vs Rayo Vallecano Prediction & Betting Tips (18 December)

Start of the season with a bang for Villarreal with an excellent 3rd place at the start of this day, scraped at the expense of Atlético Madrid. It must be said that the Yellow Submarine impresses with only 2 defeats since this summer but above all 6 victories, the most recent of which, just last weekend, on the lawn of the promoted, Real Valladolid 1-2. Returning from the break, the men in yellow saw their plans thwarted by Getafe at home 1-1, which somewhat grayed their home record. This week, they were able to win brilliantly on the Poblense field in the Copa del Rey 1-6.

With only one defeat in the last 7 league games, and above all 2 victories in the last 3 days against Valladolid 1- 2 and Alaves at home last weekend 1-0, we can also talk about a great start to the season for Vallecano who is not really expected at this level 9th. To somewhat dampen the atmosphere and the enthusiasm of the residents of Vallecas, they do not really take off away with only one victory away from their base for a record of 2 defeats against Mallorca 1-0 and Espanyol Barcelona and 2 draws. On the other hand, the Madrilenians largely won against Villamuriel in the Copa del Rey 0-5.

It's starting to take a long time, but the full-backs Foyth and Pedraza are still on the sidelines (injured) and accompanied by Gerard Moreno who sees his body fail him season after season. We must not forget the injuries to Eric Bailly and Denis Suarez (rotation in the middle). Fortunately for Marcelino, the Tricolore Thierno Barry (3 goals, 2 assists in La Liga) is well operational like the creator and maestro Baena (1 achievement, 5 cakes in the championship) without forgetting major boys like Parejo, Akhomach, Nicolas Pepe (ex-LOSC), or the captain, Raul Albiol.  Two players will be suspended for this game, midfielder Unai Lopez (accumulation of yellow cards) and defender Mumi, excluded during the previous day.

Victim of a fractured fibula, Espino will stay at home like Diego Mendez (injury). Midfielder Jonathan Montiel, absent since the start of the season, is no longer on the club's medical list and he could therefore be on the match sheet for the first time this season this evening. De Frutos (3 goals) remains the main offensive threat of this formation although we note the presence of Isi Palazon and Sergio Camello who do not really meet expectations at the start of the season.