La Liga week 22 preview: Rayo Vallecano vs Athletic Bilbao
Athletic Bilbao will visit Rayo Vallecano on January 24 before La Liga takes a week off. Not only the push for European level competition is at stake for both sides, but bragging rights are also on the line for Los Franjirrojos of former Athletic leftback Andoni Iraola, who are looking to sweep the season’s fixtures, having won their first meeting at San Mamés.
Apart from that, both sides are in the quarterfinals of the Copa del Rey, with Los Leones from the Basque region recently dethroning holders FC Barcelona on January 21.
For both clubs, this will be their first league match in more than two weeks, with Athletic coming from a Supercopa de España loss to league leaders Real Madrid in that stretch.
Overview
With 31 points, seventh-ranked Rayo Vallecano have a three-point advantage and a game on hand over tenth-placed Athletic Bilbao.
A win for the home side will put them as high as fourth and Champions League football, something that they have never experienced in the history of the club.
However, Athletic Bilbao will not just have payback on their sights, but also a chance to level on points.
Stats
It will be the 38th meeting of the two sides at La Liga, with Athletic winning 19 of their previous 37 matches against Rayo.
Marcelino’s side previously went on a five-match unbeaten run that was broken by Radamel Falcao’s last-minute winner on September 21 that gave Vallecano a 2-1 upset. At one point, Bilbao were unbeaten in seven straight head-to-head matchups in the 1990s.
Recent form (last five matches)
Rayo Vallecano
defeated Girona, 2-1
drew with Real Betis, 1-1
defeated Mirandés, 1-0
lost to Atlético Madrid, 0-2
defeated Alavés, 2-0
Athletic Bilbao
defeated Barcelona, 3-2
lost to Real Madrid, 0-2
defeated Atlético Madrid, 2-1
drew with Alavés, 0-0
defeated Atlético Mancha, 2-0
Prediction
A draw is the most ideal result for two reasons: the form of either squad is quite similar, their records in their respective last five fixtures being identical. In addition, they were even when they last played at Campo de Fútbol de Vallecas.
Tips
Draw
Over 1.5 goals
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