- Rayo Vallecano have won each of the last two LaLiga head-to-heads against Deportivo Alaves, including a 2-0 victory in the away leg six months ago.
- Rayo Vallecano have won their last three consecutive matches in all competitions, including consecutive away LaLiga victories over Real Sociedad and Levante.
- Deportivo Alaves are winless in their last two away games (D1, L1).
An intriguing matchup of tactical mirror images
This game looks to be an interesting clash of two similar sides with very different identities, each run by their respective managers, with Rayo Vallecano sitting 11th in LaLiga with 11 points from 9 matches, one fewer point and one place below Deportivo Alaves, who are 10th with 12 points from 9 matches.
Rayo Vallecano play a fast-paced, vertical style of football with an aggressive pressing game to win the ball back quickly and exploit the spaces left behind by the opposition in transition. Jorge de Frutos has been their main threat again this term with 4 goals in 8 LaLiga appearances, but they are not a prolific side and will need to rely on their match fitness to pull out a result on Sunday.
This Rayo Vallecano vs Deportivo Alaves preview highlights that Deportivo Alaves play a similarly intense game with a high forward press and quick vertical attacks under the management of Eduardo Coudet. They are more versatile than Rayo, however, and can shut up shop with a compact defensive shape when the need to protect a lead becomes apparent.
Rayo can edge a close game
Both sides will want to make a statement with this matchup likely to have an impact on the mid-table narrative of LaLiga 2025-2026, and they should be expected to produce a highly entertaining game.
According to our Rayo Vallecano vs Deportivo Alaves prediction, Rayo Vallecano are the favorites at 2.18, and Alaves are well in the double figure odds at 3.98 with a draw available at 3.27.
Both teams have been rather frugal in goal production in the past few weeks and our Rayo Vallecano vs Deportivo Alaves betting tips suggest this looks like a game where the under 2.5 goals market at 1.58 could land. But given Rayo Vallecano’s superior recent form and the fact they have won both of the recent LaLiga H2Hs, the Rayo Vallecano vs Deportivo Alaves prediction is that they look the most likely to edge what is likely to be a tense game.
