Getafe vs Rayo Vallecano Prediction: Hosts to win battle at the Coliseum

Getafe earned a creditable point in their 2024/25 La Liga season opener at Athletic Club last week, and they go in search of a first victory of the new campaign when they welcome Rayo Vallecano - who won 2-1 at Real Sociedad last time out - to the Coliseum on Saturday (20:30, Premier Sports 2).

Read on for my Getafe vs Rayo Vallecano prediction and all the latest team news ahead of this weekend's clash.

Team News

The sale of Uruguayan defender Gaston Alvarez to Al Qadisiya was confirmed this week, and even though the 24-year-old was not part of Getafe's opening-round contest, his departure is still a big blow to head coach Jose Bordalas, who has at least been able to bring in Spaniard Juan Berrocal from Eibar. Berrocal played two pre-season friendlies for his former side earlier this month and so should slot straight into the matchday squad on Saturday.

Mauro Arambarri was substituted five minutes before half-time at San Mames through injury and may be replaced in the starting XI by Carles Alena, who came on for the Uruguayan in Bilbao. Peter Federico is another possible starter after taking the place of Carles Perez at the start of the second half against Athletic Club.

Last season's top scorer Borja Mayoral didn't feature in pre-season and looks set to miss out again as he prepares to follow Alvarez out the exit door.

Football Odds

Rayo Vallecano are likely to be missing a Spanish centre-forward of their own on Saturday - Raul de Tomas was absent in San Sebastian and appears unlikely to make the trip to the Coliseum. Diego Mendez was also sidelined last time out and remains absent.

Unai Lopez was withdrawn at half-time for Gerard Gumbau against Real Sociedad and that could be a change seen at the start against Getafe.

Getafe vs Rayo Vallecano Odds

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Getafe are 6/4 to claim their first success of the new campaign, giving them an implied win probability of 40%, while Rayo Vallecano are 11/5, or a 31.3% chance, to begin the season with back-to-back victories.

The draw is priced at 15/8, both teams to score at 11/10, and over 2.5 total goals at 13/8.

Getafe To Win & Under 3.5 Total Goals @ 9/5

Getafe were impressive in their draw at San Mames last Thursday, particularly in the first half where they looked like the most dangerous team before Oihan Sancet's sumptuous effort from outside the box opened the scoring for Athletic Club.

Undeterred, Getafe hit back in the second half through 21-year-old debutant Christantus Uche, and the visitors held on for a terrific point on their travels.

Rayo were impressive in their own right, beating Real Sociedad in San Sebastian via a goal each from Jorge de Frutos and Sergio Camello. Martin Zubimendi grabbed a late consolation for the hosts but that wasn't enough to stain a stunning success at the Reale Arena.

Los Franjirrojos only finished one spot above the relegation zone last season but have already shown that they can mix it away at the big boys this term, and 18 points on their travels in 2023/24 - more than eight other clubs - shows that they do pack a punch on the road.

Rayo also beat Getafe 2-0 away from home last season, but there were extenuating circumstances. The match took place away from the Coliseum at Atletico Madrid's Metropolitano Stadium and with the scores still level, Getafe striker Juanmi Latasa was sent off in the 40th minute - Rayo took the lead just over five minutes later through Camello, who added a second just after the interval.

Getafe were reduced to nine players in the 50th minute following the red card shown to Mason Greenwood; if Los Azulones can keep their full quota on the pitch this weekend, they will fancy their chances of doing much better than that January contest.

The latest meeting between the pair finished goalless at Rayo's Campo de Futbol de Vallecas on April 14 - the 21st head-to-head in a row to finish with three or fewer goals.

A low-scoring Getafe win is my first selection for Saturday.

Getafe To Win To Nil @ 5/2

You can take things up a notch by backing Getafe to win to nil at the Coliseum.

Getafe kept seven clean sheets at home in La Liga last season, winning five of those games, and have shut out Rayo in three of their last five meetings.

Admittedly, Getafe themselves have been denied a goal in four of those matches, but I think they are in a healthier position now than before most of those contests.

It would be very Bordalas' Getafe to grind out a win to nil in their first home game of the season.

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