Villarreal vs Rayo Vallecano Prediction 28.04.2024

• Competition: Spain - LaLiga
• Date: Sunday, 28th, April 2024
• Kickoff: 17:30 UTC +1 / 18.30 CEST
• Venue: Estadio de la Ceramica (Villarreal)

Intent on maintaining their top-seven pursuit, Villarreal will host bottom-half side Rayo Vallecano at the Estadio de la Ceramica in Sunday's LaLiga clash.

Villarreal vs Rayo Vallecano Betting Tips: VILLARREAL TO WIN

Both sides are in search of crucial points as Villarreal aims to continue their pursuit for a top-seven finish, while Rayo Vallecano seeks to take another step towards securing their place among the elite.

Following back-to-back points drops against Champions League-chasing duo, suffering a 1-2 defeat to Atletico Madrid before a hard-earned 1-1 draw with Athletic at San Mames, Marcelino's troops revived their European hopes by beating basement boys Almeria 2-1 last time out, thanks to Sorloth's late winner.

Despite trailing seventh-placed Betis by six points, who hold the final European ticket, the Yellow Submarine will believe they can bridge that deficit, drawing confidence from the fact that they have finished outside the top seven only once in their 10 LaLiga campaigns since their promotion in 2013.

However, to stay in the race for another LaLiga finish among the European spots, Villarreal will need to snatch maximum points against the Madrid suburban club, and their prospects for doing so are quite encouraging, given their impressive record of seven triumphs in their last eight meetings against Rayo Vallecano at El Madrigal.

Granted, the visitors have bolstered their confidence ahead of their trip to Castellon after producing a dramatic comeback with two late goals to run out 2-1 winners against Osasuna in front of their own supporters last Saturday, a result that has seen them string together a run of four LaLiga games without defeat, during which they have earned eight points.

Thanks to their recent surge in form, which has included three impressive shutouts, the capital outfit can now breathe easier as they have built a healthy nine-point cushion over the sides residing in the relegation zone, meaning they only need a few more points to secure their third consecutive season in Spain's top division.

On the downside, Los Franjirrojos have endured tough times on enemy territory, failing to secure a win in any of their seven consecutive visits across all competitions (D2, L5). In the last third of their travels, Inigo Perez's outfit has been lacking in attacking prowess, enduring three away fixtures without registering a goal, giving Villarreal the chance to exploit Vallecano's difficulties on the road and claim another three points to strengthen their pursuit of European berths.