Villarreal vs Rayo Vallecano Prediction 30.01.2023

• Competition: Spain - LaLiga
• Date: Monday, 30th, January 2023
• Kickoff: 20:00 UK / 21.00 CET
• Venue: Estadio de la Ceramica (Villarreal)

It seems that the players of Villarreal had a hard time coping with the defeat by Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey, which is completely justified, considering that they had a two-goal advantage for almost an hour, and then everything turned upside down against them. How much that defeat knocked them out of rhythm is best shown by last week's clash with Girona, when they reached three points (1-0) only from a penalty in the 101st minute. With that success, The Yellow Submarine managed to keep pace with Atletico Madrid and the position that sends them directly into the group stage of the UEFA Champions League.

Meanwhile, Rayo Vallecano is only in its second season in LaLiga. Last season, they very easily secured survival in the company of the best, finishing in 12th position. Before the start of this season, the team from the suburbs of Madrid strengthened the playing staff with several great players, and the results are already visible in the current campaign, where they highlighted a serious candidacy for coming out to the European stage. After 18 rounds played, The Vallecans have collected 26 points, which leaves them in 9th position in the table, just two points less than the place that leads in the UEFA League Conference.

Villarreal vs Rayo Vallecano Betting Tips: Team1 to Win

Villarreal will hope to continue the winning tradition on Monday and try to come out of the duel with the Madrid club for the fifth time in a row with raised foreheads. Last season, Villarreal easily won the maximum six points in duels with The Vallecans. At El Madrigal it was 2-0, while in Madrid they celebrated with a convincing result, 5-1.

What we can also conclude is that Rayo Vallecano does not like to visit the "Estadio de la Ceramica", considering that they have bad memories of that turf. Namely, the Madrid club achieved its last and only victory on this field more than 20 years ago, while Villarreal ended each of the previous seven clashes in their favor.

It seems it didn't take long for Quique Setien to put the dice together and find a winning formula. Villarreal made a strong impression during the World Cup break, and they continued in the same rhythm when the season resumed, which is best shown by the 13 won out of a possible 15 points from the previous five LaLiga games.

The main feature of The Yellow Submarine this season is the quality and granite back line that has capitulated 13 times so far. They are, in fact, second in terms of registered "clean sheets" in LaLiga - as many as 8 out of 18 games. Only Marc-Andre ter Stegen, the goalkeeper of Barcelona, took the ball out of the net fewer times (6).

Rayo Vallecano, meanwhile, does not shine in the second part of the season. The triumph over Valladolid (1-0) was, in fact, their only success in this period. However, three defeats from the last four games, including elimination from the Copa del Rey (lost to Gijon / 0-2), do not inspire much optimism before this week's clash.

Villarreal has caught a good momentum in recent weeks, but now, compared to the clash with Girona, they will have to be much more specific and creative in front of the goal, in order to grab all the spoils and continue the race for the top four places in LaLiga. Everything is on the side of the host, from whom we expect victory.