Villarreal v Rayo Vallecano

Villarreal vs Rayo Vallecano Preview

Villarreal were dealt a second defeat on the trot in the Spanish top flight over the weekend when the upcoming hosts suffered a 2-1 loss at home to Real Betis but Villarreal have still managed to cling onto the last of the European spots as the home side currently occupy sixth place in the La Liga standings.

Rayo Vallecano dropped down to 13th place in the La Liga table despite holding high-flying Real Madrid to a creditable 3-3 draw at home on Saturday which followed a previous 1-0 win away from home at the basement dwellers, Valencia.

Villarreal had also previously suffered defeat at the hands of Athletic Bilbao in a 2-0 loss away from home and the hosts have now failed to win any of their last four matches overall in the domestic top flight.

2-2 draws against Osasuna and Girona respectively have just about managed to keep Villarreal in contention for a possible European spot for next season but Marcelino's side now only possess a one-point buffer between themselves and the chasing teams such as Real Sociedad and Osasuna.

However, although the straight win markets look a little dicey here, the goals market appeals as seven out of Villarreal's last 10 games overall in La Liga have produced goals for both teams.

Rayo Vallecano have collected four points from their last two games overall in the Spanish top flight having registered a 1-0 win away from home at Valencia followed by a high-scoring 3-3 draw at home with Real Madrid on the weekend.

These recent results will have come as a huge relief for Vallecano and manager Iñigo Pérez as his side had stumbled to three defeats on the trot beforehand, losing to the likes of Las Palmas, Sevilla and Athletic Bilbao respectively.

Results overall so far this season in La Liga have also been very inconsistent where Rayo Vallecano have been concerned as the visitors have picked up five wins, been involved in five draws but have also slipped to six defeats so far this season as well.

Rayo Vallecano have collected three of their total of five wins though on their travels with victories achieved on the road at Real Sociedad, Real Valladolid and Valencia respectively, so the visitors look capable of carrying a serious threat in front of goal into this upcoming encounter at the Estadio de la Cerámica.

Both teams have scored in five out of Rayo Vallecano's last 10 away games in the Spanish top flight as well.

Villarreal v Rayo Vallecano Verdict

Three out of the last five meetings between Villarreal and Rayo Vallecano have resulted in both teams scoring and as neither side bring a particularly impressive sequence of results into this upcoming encounter, the goals market appeals in this one.

Therefore, our main bet will be BTTS Yes @ 1.75

Other side bets worth considering:

Draw @ 3.80

Correct Score: 1-1 @ 7.00