Rayo Vallecano vs Real Betis Prediction: Antony’s goalscoring form to continue

Rayo Vallecano welcome Real Betis to Vallecas on Thursday (18:00, Premier Sports 2) with both sides battling for European football next term. The hosts are eighth, which would secure them a place in the Uefa Conference League qualifiers.

Betis sit sixth which would guarantee them a spot in the Uefa Europa League group stage, but they are three points behind Villarreal who currently occupy the final Uefa Champions League position. Read on for my Rayo Vallecano vs Real Betis predictions, aided by the latest team news and match odds.

Football Odds

Team News

The hosts remain without the services of Randy Nteka and Abdul Mumin due to knee injuries, while Jonathan Montiel is sidelined with a quad issue.

Pathe Ciss is set to return to the team sheet following a one-match ban, but Isi Palazon is going to miss out due to an accumulation of yellow cards.

Raul de Tomas is set to feature in the matchday squad after missing the win over Las Palmas with a minor problem, but it is likely that he will start the game on the bench.

Betis are without Marc Roca (ankle), Hector Bellerin and Diego Llorente (both hamstring) due to season-ending injuries. Chimy Avila is also in the medical bay with a thigh problem and he is a doubt to feature for the rest of the campaign.

Boss Manuel Pellegrin made a raft of changes to his team for the home clash with Osasuna on Sunday following their Conference League fixture with Fiorentina, but he is likely to recall the likes of Youssouf Sabaly, Ricardo Rodriguez, Johnny Cardoso, Isco, Antony, Pablo Fornals and Cedric Bakambu on Thursday evening.

Rayo Vallecano vs Real Betis Odds

Rayo Vallecano have two wins in their last six La Liga matches. They are 2/1 to post back-to-back victories for the first time since February.

The hosts have drawn three of their previous five home games in the top flight and the stalemate is on offer at 11/5.

Real Betis have prevailed in three of their past five away trips in the league and they are 7/5, which has an implied probability of 41.7%, to collect the three points.

Each of the visitors' last eight contests in La Liga have produced goals at both ends, and BTTS is available at 8/11 on this occasion.

Draw or Real Betis and both teams to score @ 13/10

Pellegrini's side have been in great form in the last few months as they only have one defeat in their past 12 outings in the league, winning nine of them. The draw was a setback in their quest to chase down Champions League football but Los Verdiblancos will still be pleased with Europa League football, while they also have the Conference League final against Chelsea coming up in two weeks' time.

Key personnel who did not start last time out are expected to come back in and they should be replenished, which could pose big problems for Rayo, who have found consistency an issue in recent weeks.

However, the hosts are coming into this off the back of consecutive victories and they have largely been tough to beat at home lately, losing just one of their previous five games at Vallecas.

Los Franjirrojos are also at risk of dropping out of European contention with any mistakes in the final weeks, as they are level on points with Mallorca in ninth, while Osasuna and Valencia are just two points behind with three matches left to play.

Betis are comfortable in their position but they may want to keep applying pressure on Villarreal in case the Yellow Submarine slips up, but this feels like a tough away trip for Los Mejores and I think covering double chance for some added insurance feels wise.

Seeing as BTTS has featured heavily for them in the league in recent months, I've boosted the odds by adding this to the selection.

Antony anytime goalscorer @ 3/1

Manchester United loanee Antony has been having a great time since joining Betis in the winter transfer window. The Brazilian has 13 goal involvements in 22 appearances across all competitions for Los Verdiblancos and he has been a key player for them in the second half of the campaign.

The winger is in good form heading into Thursday, having scored four goals in his last six appearances in all competitions. He has found the net in his side's previous two away trips in La Liga and I believe this trend can continue against Rayo.

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