Rayo Vallecano vs Atletico Madrid Betting Tips

Rayo’s last match was also a Madrid derby and it ended in a humiliating 10-2 defeat at the Bernabeu. Lost in the horrendous scoreline was the fact that at one point Rayo Vallecano were 2-1 up and given they were reduced to 9 men within 30 minutes, it was no great surprise to see Real Madrid run riot in the 2nd half.

More worrying for Rayo is that they have now lost their last 4 matches in all competitions and find themselves in the bottom three and unquestionably in a relegation battle.

Atletico were also beaten last time out, losing 1-0 at Malaga and missed the chance to spend Christmas in top spot. Like Rayo who will had Tito and Raúl Baena sent off, Atleti also failed to finish the match with their full quota with Gabi receiving his marching orders in the 2nd half. All three players will miss this match through suspension while Atletico’s Filipe Luis and Rayo’s Nacho Martinez are also out suspended.

Prior to that defeat Diego Simeone’s men had been in great form having won all of their previous 9 matches. The manner of the wins was not particularly convincing though and 7 of the 9 were by just a single goal.

Rayo Vallecano held Atletico to a 0-0 draw in Vallecas on the opening day of last season and should be able to make a contest of this. They have scored in all of their last 5 matches and have won 3 of their last 5 at home and are unlikely to change too much from their naturally attacking mentality despite what happened at the Bernabeu.

Given Atletico have rarely been winning by more than a single goal, there is some security in backing Rayo Vallecano +1.0 Asian Handicap at 1.900 here. The visitors will be missing the experience of Gabi and Tiago in midfield so it could be a big ask for the youngsters who will come in to deal with the pressure of this local derby and a game they’re expected to win.

Rayo will be desperate for a positive response to their thrashing against their other Madrid rivals and with the visitors a little too reliant on Antoine Griezmann for inspiration, they could secure a 1-1 draw in this game at 13/2.