Valencia vs Rayo Vallecano Predictions

• Both teams have not scored in 10 of Valencia’s last 14 La Liga matches
• Both teams have not scored in seven of Rayo Vallecano’s last 10 league games
• Rayo Vallecano have failed to score in four consecutive away games while Valencia have been shut out in two of their last three at home

No surplus of goals at the Mestalla  

Clean sheet aficionados will be out in force on Sunday when two of the least entertaining teams in La Liga – Valencia and Rayo Vallecano – clash at the Estadio Mestalla.

The famous old ground has seen a dearth of goals this season with La Liga’s second-lowest average of 1.76 per game scored at the home of Los Ches.

Similarly, goals have been scarce when Rayo Vallecano have hit the road this season with the struggling club producing the Spanish top-flight’s lowest average for away games – again 1.76.

Vallecano’s away clean sheet record as good as Real Madrid’s

It is therefore no surprise to see under 2.5 goals priced up at little more than 1/2 for this fixture, which could be crucial for the visitors.

Vallecano are eight points clear of the relegation zone with four games to go, so a win here and they are pretty much certain of staying in the division. But only one point from their last six away trips does not suggest that will happen and they have failed to score in each of their last four on the road.

Backing one or both teams to keep a clean sheet seems a sensible plan at reasonable odds of 7/10. Valencia have shut out nine of their 17 home opponents while Rayo Vallecano have the joint-best away clean sheet ratio of almost 50% alongside top five clubs Real Madrid and Athletic Bilbao.