Rayo Vallecano vs Alaves Predictions

Fresh from their first La Liga win of the season, last year’s Segunda División champions Rayo Vallecano will be eager to put some more points on the board at the expense of Deportivo Alaves when the teams meet at Campo de Fútbol de Vallecas on Saturday.

Rayo Vallecano had opened their top-flight campaign with two very tricky back-to-back fixtures at home to Sevilla and away at Atlético Madrid. Los Franjirrojos were battered 4-1 by Sevilla in front of their own fans as they got an early taste of how difficult life was likely to be at the top level in Spain.

They made a far better fist of things in their local derby at Atlético however and they pushed right until the final whistle for a share of the spoils in Madrid. They eventually came out on the wrong end of a 1-0 scoreline, though the performance provided the Rayo squad with an early season jolt of confidence.

Rayo Vallecano used that positive momentum to eke out a win against Huesca in a 1-0 triumph over their Segunda División rivals from last season. On another day, the result could have been very different however.

Rayo’s lack of cutting edge has been a major feature of their matches so far. Los Franjirrojos have scored just twice in their first three La Liga matches, despite averaging 13.3 shots per game. That suggests that there is a lack of quality at the club in forward areas.

Deportivo Alaves make the short trip south this weekend in far from scintillating goalscoring form themselves. The Babazorros have scored just three times in their first four fixtures of the 2018/19 season, though they have at least been picking up positive results.

Alaves lost their opening weekend fixture 0-3 at Barcelona, but Abelardo’s haven’t lost since. A draw at home to Real Betis steadied the ship and successive wins against Espanyol and Valladolid have catapulted Alaves up to 7^th spot.

Conceding just once in three matches will be hugely pleasing for former centre half Abelardo, who prides himself on his team’s defensive robustness. Alaves had the 8^th best defensive record in La Liga last season despite finishing 14^th and they look like picking up where they left off last year in that regard.

Saturday’s contest sees a mis-firing Rayo Vallecano front line come up against a well organised, competent Alaves defence. Having gone three unbeaten in La Liga, Alaves also carry serious momentum with them into the weekend. With those factors considered, we think Alaves will avoid defeat at Campo de Fútbol de Vallecas and we recommend backing them in the Double Chance market.

Two of Rayo Vallecano’s three La Liga matches this season have finished with under 2.5 goals scored in them. Similarly, two of Alaves’ last three fixtures have finished with under 2.5 goals registered in them. We don’t expect Saturday’s game to be a thriller and we’re predicting that there will be under 2.5 goals scored again. Finally, our correct score forecast predicts a 1-0 win for the visitors.