Predictions, betting odds, lineups, preview

Rayo Vallecano come home with a more stable return to La Liga, picking up seven points from their last three league games and keeping two clean sheets in that run. Girona’s league form is less convincing, with three straight defeats before the draw at Real Madrid and just one win in their last five. The head-to-head also tilts towards Rayo Vallecano, who have won two of their last three meetings and scored three away at Girona in August 2025.

With no xG data available, the clearest angle is recent results and the likely shape of the game at the Estadio de Vallecas. Rayo Vallecano have been more reliable at both ends in their recent league games, while Girona have been conceding regularly and have lost their last three home and away. Match prediction: Rayo Vallecano 2-1 Girona

Forms guide and team overview

Rayo Vallecano

Rayo Vallecano’s league form has been solid enough to suggest they can compete well here, with wins over Getafe and Espanyol either side of a 3-3 draw with Real Sociedad. This run also includes a 1-0 home win against Elche and only one heavy defeat in the last five league games, a 0-3 defeat against Mallorca.

In all competitions, the picture is a bit mixed due to the Europa Conference League defeat to AEK Athens, but domestic results remain the strongest guide. At home in the league, Rayo Vallecano have picked up points regularly and have kept things tight in two of their last three league games.

Rayo Vallecano Last 5 results

Girona

Girona’s latest league results show a team struggling for consistency, with three consecutive defeats against Mallorca, Valencia and Real Betis. Before that, they drew 1-1 away at Real Madrid and beat Villarreal 1-0 at home, so there’s evidence they can still compete in tougher games.

The problem is that the recent run has been built on narrow margins against them, and they have conceded in four of their last five league games. This makes their trip to the Estadio de Vallecas a tougher betting proposition, especially against a Rayo Vallecano side that has been harder to beat recently.

Girona Last 5 Results

Team news and injury report

Rayo Vallecano

• Isi Palazón (suspension for sports court)

Girona

• Vladyslav Vanat (Torn thigh muscle)

Alignments and tactical configuration

Rayo Vallecano (4-2-3-1)

Expected lineup: Augusto Batalla (Goalkeeper), Florian Lejeune (Defender), Iván Balliu (Defender), Jozhua Vertrouwd (Defender), Nobel Mendy (Defender), Alfonso Espino (Midfielder), Gerard Gumbau (Midfielder), Jorge de Frutos (Midfielder), Pathé Ciss (Midfielder), Sergio Camello (Midfielder), Alexandre Miraw Zudski (Midfielder), Sergio Camello (Midfielder)

Rayo Vallecano’s expected 4-2-3-1 should give them a compact base with enough coverage in midfield to stay organized without the ball. If Alfonso Espino and the wide runners can support Alexandre Zurawski quickly, they have a structure that can turn defensive stability into direct attacks.

Girona (4-2-3-1)

Expected lineup: Paulo Gazzaniga (Goalkeeper), Alexandre Francès (Defender), Arnau Martínez (Defender), Daley Blind (Defender), Vitor Reis (Defender), Axel Witsel (Midfielder), Azzedine Ounahi (Midfielder), Fran Beltrán (Midfielder) (Midfielder), Claudi Echeverri (Attacker)

Girona’s expected 4-2-3-1 gives them a similar balance in midfield, with Axel Witsel and Azzedine Ounahi likely to be important in controlling the central areas. Form should also leave Claudio Echeverri with support between the lines, but they will need better defensive control than in their recent La Liga defeats.

Battles and key players to watch