The Matchday 37 clash in La Liga between Celta Vigo and Rayo Vallecano will take place on May 18 at the Balaidos Stadium in Vigo. Celta Vigo vs. Rayo Vallecano: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Celta Vigo
The Galicians will secure a spot in the Europa League next season if they win the upcoming match. The team has boosted its European ambitions after defeating Sevilla (3-2) at home and Real Sociedad (1-0) away. Notably, Claudio Giraldez's side is on a seven-match uncompromising streak in La Liga (4 wins and 3 losses). Interestingly, Celta, along with Real Madrid and Barcelona, are the only teams in this season's championship not to have played to a goalless draw.
- In their last 14 La Liga matches, the Galicians have suffered only three defeats (8 wins and 3 draws).
- Both teams scored in 13 of Celta's last 18 league games.
- The club has not lost in the second half in 11 of their last 14 home matches in La Liga (7 wins and 4 draws).
Predicted lineup for Celta Vigo (5-3-2)
Vicente Guaita – Oscar Mingueza, Javi Rodriguez, Sergio Carreira, Carlos Dominguez, Mihailo Ristic – Fran Beltran, Ilaix Moriba, Fernando Gonzalez – Borja Iglesias, Alfonso Gonzalez.
Rayo Vallecano
The Madrid side can still overtake the Galicians in seventh place. They trail their opponents by four points, but a loss in the upcoming match could see them miss out on even a Conference League spot. Inigo Perez's team is unbeaten in three league matches, securing 1-0 victories over Getafe and Las Palmas, and drawing 2-2 with Betis.
- The club has not won in 10 of their last 13 La Liga encounters (4 draws and 6 losses).
- At least two goals have been scored in 9 of Rayo Vallecano's last 11 league games.
- The team has not conceded in the first half in 5 of their last 6 La Liga matches.
Predicted lineup for Rayo Vallecano (5-4-1)
Augusto Batalla – Florian Lejeune, Andrei Ratiu, Ivan Balliu, Pep Chavarria, Aridan Hernandez – Pathé Ciss, Isi Palazon, Alvaro Garcia, Pedro Diaz – Jorge de Frutos.
Referee
Juan Luis Pulido Santana (Spain)
Matches – 14 (La Liga, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 67;
Average yellow cards per match – 4.8;
Red cards shown – 3;
Average fouls per match – 24;
Penalties – 36%.
Celta Vigo vs. Rayo Vallecano: Match Prediction
In the first round, the Madrid side defeated the Galicians 2-1 at home. However, prior to this, Celta had not lost to this opponent in seven consecutive La Liga matches (2 wins and 5 draws). I predict that the hosts will take revenge for their first-half-of-the-season defeat. Furthermore, it's crucial for Claudio Giraldez's team to win this match to secure a final 7th place.
It's challenging to take points from the Galicians at their venue. This season, the club has played 18 home league matches, suffering only 4 defeats, with just one loss to a lower-ranked team. In their last seven home La Liga games, Celta has achieved five wins (1 draw and 1 loss). On the other hand, Rayo Vallecano has lost 4 of their last 6 away league matches. Additionally, in the last six head-to-head encounters in La Liga held in Vigo, the Galicians have never lost to the Madrid side (4 wins and 2 draws).
My prediction – Celta Vigo to Win
