Following a memorable 2-0 victory over Real Madrid last time out, Rayo Vallecano will have the chance to claim a fourth consecutive victory when they play host to Celta Vigo on Thursday.
On the other hand, the visitors are winless in six La Liga matches after Carlos Carvalhal began his reign as manager with a 2-1 defeat to Osasuna.
Rayo Vallecano may have lost four of their opening eight matches this season, but they have proven to be one of the most in-from sides in La Liga in recent weeks after collecting 11 points from a possible 15.
Goals from Real Madrid’s Luka Modric and Eder Militao looked to have turned the game around after Santi Comesana had given the hosts an early lead. However, Alvaro Garcia restored parity to ensure that the two sides headed into the half time on level terms.
Oscar Trejo looked to have spurned the opportunity to put Rayo ahead when his spot kick was saved by Thibaut Courtois, but after Dani Carvajal was ruled to have encroached, Trejo scored what proved to be the winning goal with his retaken penalty.
Meanwhile, after losing 3-1 away to Almeria, Celta Vigo decided it was time for a change of manager, replacing Eduardo Coudet with Carvalhal.
The former Braga head coach began his reign with a home encounter with Osasuna, but he was unable to get off to a winning start as his side fell to a 2-1 defeat.
Having lost five of their last six matches, Celta currently sit in the relegation zone, but a victory in the final league match before the World Cup break could prove enough to move them out of the bottom three.
If they are to end their winless run on Thursday, Celta need to improve defensively after conceding 26 goals from 13 league matches.
Rayo Vallecano vs Celta Vigo head to head
These two teams have previously met on 32 occasions across two competitions, where Rayo have claimed 15 victories while Celta have won eight, and they have drawn in nine. Celta have scored 34 goals and conceded 43. In their last five meetings, Celta have won one, Rayo two with two draws.
Rayo Vallecano 3-0 Celta Vigo 24/01/16
Rayo Vallecano 4-2 Celta Vigo 11/01/19
Celta Vigo 2-2 Rayo Vallecano 18/05/19
Rayo Vallecano 0-0 Celta Vigo 01/11/21
Celta Vigo 2-0 Rayo Vallecano 05/02/22
Rayo Vallecano latest home form
Rayo Vallecano have recently been on a good run of form at home, having been unbeaten in their five most recent matches. They managed to defeat Real Madrid 3-2 in their last home game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored 12 goals and conceded five.
Rayo Vallecano 2-1 Valencia 10/09/22
Rayo Vallecano 2-1 Elche 03/10/22
Rayo Vallecano 0-0 Getafe 14/10/22
Rayo Vallecano 5-1 Cadiz 22/10/22
Rayo Vallecano 3-2 Real Madrid 07/11/22
Rayo Vallecano latest away form
Rayo Vallecano managed to defeat Sevilla 1-0 in their last away game in the league. However, they have recently failed to keep a good run of form on the road, having been winless in their previous five games. In their last five matches, they have scored five goals and conceded eight.
Athletic Bilbao 3-2 Rayo Vallecano 17/09/22
Fuenlabrada 1-0 Rayo Vallecano 22/09/22
Almeria 3-1 Rayo Vallecano 08/10/22
Atletico Madrid 1-1 Rayo Vallecano 18/10/22
Sevilla 0-1 Rayo Vallecano 29/10/22
Celta Vigo latest home form
Celta Vigo have recently failed to keep a good run of form at home, having been winless in their three most recent matches. They were beaten 2-1 by Osasuna in their last home game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored seven goals and conceded five.
Celta Vigo 3-0 Cadiz 02/09/22
Celta Vigo 1-0 Real Betis 02/10/22
Celta Vigo 1-2 Real Sociedad 16/10/22
Celta Vigo 1-1 Getafe 24/10/22
Celta Vigo 1-2 Osasuna 05/11/22
Celta Vigo latest away form
Celta Vigo have recently been on a poor run of form on the road, having lost each of their five most recent matches. They were beaten 3-1 by Almeria in their last away game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored just three goals and conceded 15.
Atletico Madrid 4-1 Celta Vigo 10/09/22
Valencia 3-0 Celta Vigo 17/09/22
Barcelona 1-0 Celta Vigo 09/10/22
Real Valladolid 4-1 Celta Vigo 19/10/22
Almeria 3-1 Celta Vigo 29/10/22
Rayo Vallecano news
Although there are doubts over Andres Martin’s fitness, Rayo Vallecano head coach Andoni Iraola is expected to have the majority of his squad available for selection.
Sergio Camello will continue to lead the line for the hosts, and he will be looking to add to the two goals he has scored this season.
Celta Vigo news
Celta Vigo are expected to be without the services of Luca de la Torre, Hugo Mallo and Augusto Solari due to injury issues.
Gabri Veiga missed the defeat to Osasuna through suspension, but he could return to the starting lineup here, with Iago Aspas joined in the forward line by Jorgen Strand Larsen.
Prediction and Odds
Celta Vigo have lost each of their last five La Liga matches on the road, and will see this as an opportunity to get back to winning ways.
However, Rayo Vallecano have won four of their last five home matches, and we feel that they will come away with all three points.
Probable outcomes
Rayo Vallecano 1-0 Celta Vigo
Rayo Vallecano 2-0 Celta Vigo
Rayo Vallecano 2-1 Celta Vigo
Rayo Vallecano 3-2 Celta Vigo
Rayo Vallecano 2-2 Celta Vigo
