Sabasports Match Preview
LaLiga: Rayo Vallecano vs Celta Vigo
Kickoff Time: 2023-12-12 04:00 (HKT)
Source: REUTERS/ISABEL INFANTES
In the Copa del Rey midweek fixture, Rayo
Vallecano secured a 2-0 away victory against Jeclano, allowing them to progress
to the next round of the competition. However, in the league, Rayo Vallecano
have experienced a winless streak of five consecutive matches, indicating a
sluggish performance. They primarily employ a 4-3-2-1 formation. Rayo Vallecano
lack a dominant attacking force and tend to alter their tactics during matches.
When they take the lead, there is a high likelihood that they will shift to a
more defensive approach, aiming to exhaust the opponent’s physical energy and
game time through intensive defense. Consequently, opponents with average
positional play capabilities may find it challenging to breach Rayo Vallecano’s
resilient defensive setup.
In the Copa del Rey midweek match, Celta Vigo
secured a 2-1 away victory against Sestao, finally breaking their long streak
without a win. However, in the league, Celta Vigo have gone 11 consecutive
rounds without a victory and finds themselves trapped in a relegation battle.
It is notable that Celta Vigo heavily rely on attacks from the wings. They
prioritize running and pressing to create more crossing opportunities, aiming
for a qualitative impact through quantity. Their tactics are generally
straightforward and not overly intricate. They primarily focus on seeking
opportunities on the wings. Consequently, when facing a team with a strong
defensive line that sits deep, Celta Vigo may struggle to create clear scoring
chances.
The overall strength of both teams, Celta Vigo
and Rayo Vallecano, is closely matched, and their recent performances in the
league have been similar. Neither team can be considered a clear favorite in
this encounter. However, it is worth noting that Celta Vigo have had a positive
record against Rayo Vallecano in their last five matches, with two wins and
three draws, remaining unbeaten. This could give Celta Vigo a psychological
advantage heading into the game. Considering these factors, it is possible to
speculate that Celta Vigo, with their superior track record against Rayo
Vallecano, may have a higher chance of coming out of this game without
suffering a defeat.
Rayo Vallecano’s Last 5 Games: WLDLD
23-12-06 Yeclano 0-2 Rayo Vallecano
23-12-02 Athletic Club 4-0 Rayo Vallecano
23-11-25 Rayo Vallecano 1-1 Barcelona
23-11-11 Rayo Vallecano 1-2 Girona
23-11-06 Real Madrid 0-0 Rayo Vallecano
Celta Vigo’s Last 5 Games: WDDLD
23-12-08 Sestao 1-2 Celta Vigo
23-12-05 Celta Vigo 1-1 Cadiz
23-11-25 Valencia 0-0 Celta Vigo
23-11-11 Athletic Club 4-3 Celta Vigo
23-11-05 Celta Vigo 1-1 Sevilla
Head To Head Record:
23-03-12 Celta Vigo 3-0 Rayo Vallecano
22-11-11 Rayo Vallecano 0-0 Celta Vigo
22-02-06 Celta Vigo 2-0 Rayo Vallecano
21-11-02 Rayo Vallecano 0-0 Celta Vigo
19-05-19 Celta Vigo 2-2 Rayo Vallecano
Prediction:
Celta Vigo to win or Draw