Villarreal vs Rayo Vallecano Predictions

• Villarreal are without a win in five and have lost three on the bounce
• Rayo Vallecano have beaten Valencia and drew with Real Madrid in their last two games
• These two sides drew 1-1 at the Estadio de Vallecas last season

Villarreal struggling for form

Villarreal will head into their final home match of 2024 with their form having deserted them, as they are without a win in five and have lost three on the bounce, including a 1-0 defeat at fourth-tier Pontevedra in the Copa del Rey.

Sunday’s 2-1 home defeat to Real Betis means they have only won once at home since September across all competitions, while their recent record against Rayo Vallecano is also patchy, as their 3-0 success in last season’s corresponding fixture is their only win in their last four meetings with the team from Madrid.

Rayo trending in positive direction

In contrast to their hosts on Wednesday, Rayo are in good form, following up an away win at Valencia with Saturday’s eye-catching 3-3 draw on home soil against Real Madrid.

That sequence has pulled Inigo Perez’ side well clear of the relegation zone and they will head into this game hoping to repeat the 1-0 victory they claimed over Villarreal when the teams met at the Estadio de la Ceramica in January 2023.

That kind of result may be beyond Rayo this time around, but they are capable of avoiding defeat and we could see a repeat of the 1-1 draw these two sides played out at the Estadio de Vallecas last season.