Rayo Vallecano vs Getafe Prediction: Another bruising battle between European hopefuls

Poor runs of form for Rayo Vallecano and Getafe have seen both clubs fall down in the race for European football, with Los Franjirrojos (11th) and Los Azulones (12th) three and five points, respectively, behind eighth-placed Osasuna, who are currently on course to qualify for next season's Uefa Conference League.

The two sides meet at the Campo de Futbol de Vallecas on Friday night (20:00, Premier Sports 1), and ahead of the game, you can check out my Rayo Vallecano vs Getafe predictions below, accompanied by all the latest team news and match odds.

Team News

Jonathan Montiel (thigh) and Abdul Mumin (knee) are out injured for Rayo Vallecano, but Sergio Camello (toe) could return for Inigo Perez's side.

Goalkeeper Augusto Batalla and right-back Andrei Ratiu picked up their fifth yellow cards of the campaign in last Thursday's 3-0 defeat at Atletico Madrid and are suspended for Friday's fixture.

Football Odds

Pep Chavarria, Jorge de Frutos and Gerard Gumbau could all earn promotions to the starting XI, while Dani Cardenas will replace Batalla between the sticks.

As for Getafe, Diego Rico (unspecified) is doubtful after missing last Wednesday's 1-0 defeat at Real Madrid, while Alvaro Rodriguez (yellow cards) and Christantus Uche (red card) are banned.

Jose Bordalas could name an unchanged starting XI from that defeat, although Juanmi and Coba da Costa are pushing for inclusions, while Allan Nyom is back after his muscle injury.

Rayo Vallecano vs Getafe Odds

Rayo haven't won at home since February 7, but Friday's hosts are 7/5 favourites here, implying a 41.7% probability, while Getafe are 12/5, or a 29.4% chance, to break out of a three-game losing streak and claim a first success since April 6.

Five of the last six meetings between the two clubs have ended in a stalemate, and you can back a sixth draw in seven at 15/8.

BTTS - No has landed in six of the last seven games between Rayo and Getafe, and it's available to back here at 4/7.

Correct Score - Draw 0-0 @ 5/1

These two teams really know how to cancel each other out, with four of the last six head-to-heads, including the most recent two, ending goalless.

The first meeting of this season, back in August, was a real snoozefest, with just one shot on target at the Coliseum, and at the Campo de Futbol de Vallecas last April, there were only two shots on target recorded.

Neither side comes into Friday's contest in prolific form in front of goal, either, with Rayo blanking in two of their last four games, netting just twice, and Getafe shut out in back-to-back 1-0 losses to Espanyol and Real Madrid.

Getafe have scored just 31 goals in 33 La Liga matches this season - only stragglers Real Valladolid (24) have struck fewer times - while Rayo (35) aren't much better off in that regard.

Friday's visitors may be poor in the attacking third, but they're set up superbly at the back, conceding just 30 goals - only Athletic Club (26) and Atletico Madrid (27) boast a better defensive record in the Spanish top flight.

All of the above leads me to think a third consecutive goalless draw between Rayo and Getafe is inevitable on Friday.

Booking Points Over/Under +52.5 - Over 52.5 @ 1/1

A bruising battle took place between these two teams when they last met at this stadium, as a mammoth 10 yellows were issued, amounting to 100 booking points (10 per caution with Betfred).

Six Getafe players were cautioned, with four bookings brandished in the direction of the hosts.

The reverse fixture this season was less manic, with just three yellows - two for Rayo, one for Getafe - but it was only the second week of the campaign, and we can expect things to be spicier this time around.

Only Las Palmas (94) have been shown more yellow cards in La Liga this season than Getafe (90), while Rayo (84) aren't too far behind.

Eight red cards have been issued between them, with Getafe in receipt of five and Rayo three.

Three of the last four games between Rayo and Getafe have seen the over 52.5 line land, so I'm willing to back it again here at EVS.

Offers

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