Rayo Vallecano vs Celta Vigo Predictions, H2H and Match Preview

Rayo Vallecano vs Celta Vigo predictions, H2H and match preview for this Friday’s game in La Liga. Read on for analysis, betting tips and predicted line-ups as the hosts target another vital three points in their battle to beat the drop.

DATE/TIME – Friday 11th January 2019, 21:00 (Spanish Time)

STADIUM – Vallecas

COMPETITION – La Liga

#RayoCelta

Match-day 19 marks the midway point in La Liga 2018/19 and we are still not much the wiser as to who the three relegated sides will be. The bottom three all won last weekend and Rayo Vallecano now have real hope of hauling themselves to safety. They can drag another team into the mix if they can see off Celta Vigo here with the Galicians one of a number of teams who will be starting to look over their shoulder at the improving form of the teams at the bottom.

Celta lost to one of them as recently as Monday night. They were beaten at home by Athletic and perhaps significantly will still be missing Iago Aspas here. The forward is undoubtedly their key man and even partner in crime Maxi Gomez is less effective when Aspas doesn’t play. Between them, the duo have scored 64% of Celta’s goals this term and they may need one of their other players to step up here.

Rayo have looked a bit more solid defensively in recent weeks. They have Giannelli Imbula back from suspension here but having won last weekend on the road, the former Stoke man may not get into the side. That would have been unthinkable earlier in the campaign so Michel deserves credit for turning things around as they target a third straight league win.

Celta have only won twice on the road since last January. Those two victories did both come this season but they may sense they are heading to Vallecas at a bad time with the hosts having found some form. Neither side was involved in the Copa del Rey this week so both sides should be fresh to go. Victory for Rayo would see them move just 2 points behind Celta in the Primera Division table and would give them a great platform to potentially secure survival over the second half of the season.

Rayo Vallecano vs Celta Vigo Predictions

Score Prediction: 2-0 Rayo Vallecano

Betting Tip: Rayo Win at 6/4 with Betway

The momentum is certainly with Rayo heading into this match. They are suddenly playing with a belief that they belong at this level. They do usually let up chances but with Aspas injured and Maxi Gomez not on top of his game right now, the hosts could seal a third win on the spin here.

Rayo Vallecano vs Celta Vigo H2H

• Last 6 meetings: 4 Rayo Wins, 2 Celta Wins
• Rayo have an extraordinary home record against Celta, winning their last 9 home top flight games against them.
• They were 3-0 winners the last time the sides met in January 2016.
• Celta had won the previous two meetings though, including a 6-1 win at Balaidos in 2015.

One to Watch – Oscar Trejo

#SanLorenzo negocia con #RayoVallecano por Oscar Trejo. El futbolista, con contrato hasta Junio 2020, ve con bueno ojos su vuelta al país. El equipo español no lo largará fácilmente dado que quiere retenerlo para luchar por la permanencia. Vía @tonyarrighi pic.twitter.com/EmBqpLSTkG

— German Garcia Grova (@GerGarciaGrova) January 10, 2019

Rayo’s most creative player this term has been Oscar Trejo. He will be looking to add to his 3 assists here.

Keep tabs on all our La Liga betting tips.

Predicted Line Ups

Rayo Vallecano Team:

Dimitrievski – Amat, Ba, Velazquez – Moreno, Medran, Comesana, Advincula – Embarba, De Tomas, Trejo (3-4-3)

Celta Vigo Team:

Blanco – Mallo, Araujo, Cabral, Junca – Beltran, Yokuslu, Lobotka – Mendez, Gomez, Boufal (4-3-3)