Rayo Vallecano vs Valencia Prediction: Don’t expect goals from misfiring duo

Two sides towards the foot of the La Liga form guide face off in a mid-table clash on Tuesday evening (KO, 18:00), with Rayo Vallecano and Valencia both vying to put an end to wretched runs.

With both teams struggling in front of goal in particular, the frailties leading the line do not point to a goalfest, with a greater likelihood they will cancel each other out, leaving the final result too close to call.

Team News

Rayo Vallecano manager Francisco Rodriguez almost has a complete squad to choose from, with Oscar Trejo the only doubt as he recovers from a knee issue.

Despite relatively few injury issues, Rodriguez has still chopped and changed his starting line-up throughout the season as he struggles to determine his best XI.

Raul De Tomas has been favoured up front in recent weeks, and he will likely lead the line once more, with Radamel Falcao on the bench.

For Valencia, they will be without Javi Guerra as he continues to serve a suspension for a straight red card against Getafe.

Head coach Ruben Baraja is also missing Andre Almeida and Jose Gaya to injury, but top scorer Hugo Duro is fit and will likely feature for Los Ches.

Match Odds

Rayo Vallecano are 5/4 to claim their first league win since October, whilst Valencia are on offer at 23/10 to end their five game winless run in La Liga.

A draw in Madrid is 11/5, whilst Valencia to pick up the most bookings is at 11/8, with a lack of discipline a feature of their recent matches.

Over 47.5 booking points @ 8/11

Whilst goals have not been the most common of commodities for either side, cards have been a regular occurrence.

Los Franjirrojos have picked up 12 yellows in their last five league games, whilst Valencia have behaved even more poorly in that time-frame, with 16 cards coming their way, including two dismissals.

Last season, there were 12 bookings handed out across the two meetings between these two sides, with 18 being shown the season before.

With both sides desperate to put winless runs to bed, it will not take much for tensions to boil over.

Under 2.5 goals @ 4/6

Vallecano and Valencia are two of 10 teams to have scored less than 20 league goals this season, netting 16 and 18 respectively.

Hugo Duro’s seven for Valencia is far beyond any other player that may feature on Tuesday night, with this number equating to over one third of Los Ches’ league goals this campaign.

Vallecano do not have a star striker in form to fall upon when a goal is needed, with top scorer Alvaro Garcia having netted just four times so far.

The Madrid-based side have only converted twice in their last five La Liga games, while they have been blanked in their last three, so a singular goal may be the best that they can hope for in this.

Valencia have not scored more than one goal in any of their last seven games, which includes a 1-0 win at fifth-tier Arosa in the Copa del Rey, and have been shut out twice in that run.

Check out the rest of our Football Betting Tips here.