Rayo Vallecano vs Deportivo Alaves prediction 20.08.2026 | La Liga

Rayo Vallecano enters this one on the back of a heartbreaking, last-minute 2–1 loss away to Sevilla. Los Franjirrojos looked incredibly sharp early on when Álvaro García intercepted a horrible defensive error to score just four minutes into the new campaign.

However, Beñat San José’s men crumbled deep in stoppage time, conceding a decisive 97th-minute penalty. It's a tough pill to swallow after finishing last season on a massive high in 8th place with 47 points.

Personally, I think their home form is where they'll not struggle to find consistency. They won their final home match last term 2–0 against Villarreal, finishing the seven with a seven match unbeaten run at Estadio de Vallecas.

Luckily, the brilliant García is already firing after his crucial 4-goal contribution last year. They have a fully fit squad with no major injuries, so there are absolutely no excuses here.

Deportivo Alavés enters this one on the back of a convincing 3–0 opening-day victory against Getafe. El Glorioso completely controlled the final twenty minutes of that match, capitalizing beautifully on a 42nd-minute red card issued to their opponents.

Now, Quique Sánchez Flores's men have a chance to secure back-to-back league wins and put last year's inconsistencies far behind them. It is no secret that they struggled heavily during the 2025/26 campaign, limping to a 14th-place finish with only 43 points.

Personally, I believe their travel itinerary is where their biggest tactical demons reside. Their away form has been a massive weak spot, as they closed out last season with just one win in their final four road games.

Up front, Toni Martínez remains their premier attacking weapon after bagging a stellar 14 goals last term. They have a fully fit squad heading into Madrid, meaning Flores has plenty of options to break their traveling curse.