Rayo Vallecano vs Espanyol Tips & Preview – Hosts backed to hold firm at Vallecas

Tolu Shotade

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Last updated: Tue 21 Apr 2026 16:57

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Rayo Vallecano lost only 1 of last 12 home matches.
Espanyol on 14-game winless streak, scoring in 10 of last 11.
Expect goals: over 2.5 in 9 of Espanyol's last 11 matches.

Rayo Vallecano vs Espanyol

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Rayo Vallecano host Espanyol at the Estadio de Vallecas on Thursday in a key Spanish La Liga clash with implications at both ends of the table.

Both sides come into this game in poor form, but Rayo will look to lean on their strong home record to edge the contest.

Rayo Vallecano News

Rayo Vallecano return to league action after a 3-1 defeat to AEK Athens in the UEFA Conference League, a result that still saw them progress to their first-ever European semi-final. However, it also marked a second consecutive defeat in all competitions.

Los Franjirrojos currently sit 13th in the table, just three points above the relegation zone, underlining the importance of this fixture. Rayo have picked up four wins from their last 10 matches, scoring in seven of those games but keeping just three clean sheets.

Inigo Perez’s side, however, have been far more reliable at home. They have lost just once in their last 12 league matches at Vallecas, winning five in that run. Their matches have also been fairly open, with over 2.5 goals in five of their last 10 outings.

Espanyol News

Espanyol are in a deep slump, currently on a 14-game winless run in La Liga. Their latest setback was a heavy 4-1 defeat to leaders Barcelona in the Catalan derby.

Despite their struggles, Manolo Gonzalez's men sit 10th in the table, with just six points separating them from either a place in Europe or a late battle to remain in the top-flight. They’ve lost nine of those 14 matches and have also been beaten in their last nine Thursday league games.

One positive has been their attacking consistency, scoring in 10 of their last 11 matches. However, defensive issues persist, with just one clean sheet in 14 outings. Their away form remains a concern, with five defeats in their last seven trips. Their matches have been open, with over 2.5 goals in nine of their last 11 league games.

Head to Head

Recent meetings between these sides have been split. Espanyol have won the last four encounters, while Rayo had previously won six in a row. The reverse fixture ended in a 1-0 win for Espanyol.

Verdict

Rayo Vallecano v Espanyol

Rayo Vallecano are unbeaten in 11 of their last 12 home matches. Tipped to maintain their record at Vallecas, the hosts are set to avoid defeat once again.

Rayo have scored in seven of their last 10 games, while the visitors have netted in 10 of their last 11 matches, setting the tone for goals at both ends. Over 2.5 goals have been scored in nine of Espanyol's last 11 games, a trend that looks set to continue in this one.

Rayo Vallecano

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