| Details of the match | information |
| competition | La Liga – (Spain) |
| Ronda | 18 |
| Date and time | 2026-01-02, 21:00 – (Includes BST/GMT time zone). |
| stadium | Vallecas Stadium |
Prediction – Rayo Vallecano 1 – 1 Getafe
Recent form
As Rayo Vallecano prepare to host Getafe at the Estadio de Vallecas, both teams come into this La Liga encounter with different forms in their recent league performances. Rayo Vallecano have shown a strong defensive record, remaining unbeaten in their last five matches. Their recent outings have included dominant victories, including a comprehensive 0-4 win at Elche at home and a narrow but decisive 0-1 win at Espanyol. These performances highlight Rayo’s ability to secure points on the road. However, their ability to turn home games into wins seems less decisive, with two draws against Real Betis and Valencia, both of which ended in a stalemate, and a goalless draw against Real Oviedo. Getafe, on the other hand, presents a more inconsistent form. They secured an important 0-4 win away to Real Betis, indicating their potential for impactful performances. Another positive result was the 0-2 success against Villarreal, showing their ability to win away from home. However, they have struggled in their home games, suffering narrow defeats to Espanyol and Atletico Madrid, highlighting the potential vulnerabilities in their defense when playing at home. Their only home win came against Elche with a minimum score of 1-0. The next match between Rayo Vallecano and Getafe promises to be very contested. Rayo’s solid defense and unbeaten run can give them the upper hand, especially with home advantage. Conversely, Getafe’s ability to pull off unexpected wins away from home suggests they should not be underestimated, which could set the stage for an intriguing clash in Vallecas.
Rayo Vallecano Last 5 league games
| Teams | result | Red cards | Yellow cards | corners | free tits | possession | Assistance |
| Elche vs Rayo Vallecano | 0-4 | 1-0 | 2-2 | 4-5 | 11-15 | 46% – 54% | 4-0 |
| Rayo Vallecano vs Real Betis | 0-0 | 0 – 0 | 4-1 | 8-3 | 7-10 | 59% – 41% | 0 – 0 |
| Espanyol vs Rayo Vallecano | 0-1 | 1-1 | 4-8 | 6-2 | 21-19 | 36% – 64% | 0 – 0 |
| Rayo Vallecano Vs Valencia | 1-1 | 0 – 0 | 1-1 | 10-5 | 9-11 | 56% – 44% | 1-0 |
| Real Oviedo Vs Rayo Vallecano | 0-0 | 1-1 | 1-2 | 5-6 | 13-10 | 39% – 61% | 0 – 0 |
Rayo Vallecano have shown a varied set of performances in their last five matches in the League, maintaining an unbeaten streak but showing variability in their offensive and defensive execution. His standout performance came against Elche in a dominant 4-0 win, reflecting his potential to take advantage of possession and convert chances into goals. With 54% possession and a greater number of free kicks, Rayo showed control and discipline, although the match’s red card for Elche eased their way to such a decisive victory. This match demonstrated Rayo’s ability to exploit numerical advantages and maintain composure under pressure. However, his subsequent games have highlighted some inconsistencies, especially in front of goal. Goalless draws against Real Betis and Real Oviedo suggest a recurring challenge in breaking down well-organised defenses despite enjoying superior possession in both games (59% and 61% respectively). These results point to an area for improvement, as Rayo need to translate their territorial dominance into tangible scoring opportunities more effectively. The duel against Valencia was another example of his diversion of fortunes, where he got a point but again fell short of the win, further emphasizing his struggle to maintain momentum in attack. In terms of the squad, Rayo Vallecano’s current list of injuries and absentees poses additional challenges. The absence of Jorge de Frutos due to a knee injury, along with the international call-ups of Pathé Ciss and Randy Nteka, limits their depth, especially in the midfield and attacking roles. This situation places a greater responsibility on the projected lineup, where players like Isi Palazón, Sergio Camello and Álvaro García will have to step up to fill the creative void and boost the team’s offensive efforts. The defensive line-up, consolidated by players like Florian Lejeune and Nobel Mendy, will be key to maintaining the defensive solidity that has seen them concede minimally in recent games. With these factors in mind, Rayo Vallecano are likely to continue to take advantage of their possession-based approach, aiming to control the tempo of the game while also looking to improve their conversion rate in front of goal. The team will have to balance their attacking ambitions with defensive resilience, especially in the absence of key players. Overall, Rayo’s recent form suggests a team capable of performing well but in need of greater consistency and clinical finishing to maximize their potential in the coming games.
Getafe last 5 league matches
| Teams | result | Red cards | Yellow cards | corners | free tits | possession | Assistance |
| Real Betis vs Getafe | 0-4 | 0 – 0 | 0-1 | 7-5 | 12-12 | 49% – 51% | 3-0 |
| Getafe vs Espanyol | 0-1 | 0 – 0 | 5-1 | 6-4 | 17-18 | 56% – 44% | 0-1 |
| Villarreal vs Getafe | 0-2 | 0-1 | 2-4 | 5-3 | 15-19 | 61% – 39% | 1-0 |
| Getafe vs Elche | 1-0 | 0 – 0 | 2-2 | 3-5 | 11-18 | 34% – 66% | 1-0 |
| Getafe vs Atlético de Madrid | 0-1 | 0 – 0 | 2-3 | 6-7 | 17-9 | 41% – 59% | 0 – 0 |
Getafe’s recent La Liga performances reflect a team capable of impressive results but also struggling with inconsistency. In their last five league games, Getafe picked up notable wins against Real Betis and Villarreal, with a particularly dominant 4-0 win over Betis. This match showed his ability to control possession and exploit his chances effectively. However, Getafe’s inconsistency is evident in their narrow defeats to Espanyol and Atletico Madrid, where they struggled to convert possession into goals despite a stout defence. Analyzing the detailed statistics of these matches, Getafe’s defensive solidity is highlighted. Against Villarreal, despite having only 39% possession, Getafe won 2-0, demonstrating their effectiveness in counter-attacks and set pieces. This ability to withstand pressure and capitalize on limited opportunities speaks to his defensive discipline and tactical awareness, traits that will be crucial in his next game. However, his high number of yellow cards in these matches suggests a potential vulnerability in terms of discipline, which could lead to suspensions or further injuries. The current injury list, with Abdel Abqar out with a muscle injury, limits Getafe’s defensive options. However, the expected line-up with experienced defenders like Dakonam Djené and Diego Rico indicates that they still have a strong backline. The midfield trio of Luis Milla, Mario Martín and Mauro Arambarri are expected to provide a balance of defensive cover and creative support, essential for the transition from defense to attack. Up front, Álex Sancris and Adrián Liso will be counted on to break down opposition defences, although their recent struggles against compact defensive formations suggest this could be an area that requires improvement. With this dynamic in mind, Getafe’s focus in their next game is likely to be on maintaining defensive rigidity while looking to capitalize on counter-attacking opportunities. The team’s ability to adapt and execute its tactical plan could be the deciding factor in whether it builds on its recent successes or continues to experience mixed results.
Team news and injuries
Rayo Vallecano injuries and suspensions
- Jorge de Frutos (Knee Injury) Pathé Ciss (Called up to the national team) Randy Nteka (Called up to the national team)
Getafe injuries and suspensions
- Abdel Abqar (Muscle injury)
Head-to-head (H2H) registration and summary.
H2H Last 5
| Teams | result | Red cards | Yellow cards | corners | free tits | possession | Assistance |
| Rayo Vallecano vs Getafe | N/A | 0-1 | 3-2 | 7-3 | 13-12 | 60% – 40% | 1-0 |
| Rayo Vallecano vs Getafe | N/A | 0 – 0 | 1-2 | 3-2 | 0 – 0 | 48% – 52% | 0 – 0 |
| Rayo Vallecano vs Getafe | N/A | 0 – 0 | 4-6 | 3-0 | 0 – 0 | 63% – 37% | 0 – 0 |
| Rayo Vallecano vs Getafe | N/A | 2-0 | 5-3 | 2-3 | 0 – 0 | 38% – 62% | 0-1 |
| Rayo Vallecano vs Getafe | N/A | 1-0 | 3-4 | 5-6 | 9-5 | 42% – 58% | 0 – 0 |
Detailed H2H analysis
Rayo Vallecano and Getafe have shown a competitive dynamic in their recent encounters, with several intriguing patterns emerging from their head-to-head encounters. A notable trend is the physical intensity and disciplinary problems that have characterized these teams. In the matches analysed, there are a significant number of yellow cards, with two teams often exceeding three per game, and Rayo Vallecano have accumulated more red cards than their counterparts. This aggressive play underscores a fierce rivalry where both teams are willing to fight hard for dominance, often at the cost of disciplinary infractions. In addition, the possession statistics show Rayo Vallecano’s tendency to control the ball more often, as seen in the matches in which they achieved possession figures of up to 63%. However, this possession advantage has not consistently translated into superiority on the field, as Getafe have shown resilience, especially in games where they have been able to disrupt Rayo’s flow despite having less possession. In terms of current team dynamics, Rayo Vallecano face some challenges with key absences, including Jorge de Frutos through injury and Pathé Ciss and Randy Nteka unavailable due to national team commitments. These absences could affect their midfield and attacking capabilities, potentially disrupting their typical possession-based strategy. Conversely, Getafe’s line-up looks relatively stable, with only Abdel Abqar missing due to a muscle injury. The expected line-ups suggest that both teams will rely on their defensive solidity, with Rayo likely to lean on their possession-driven approach through the likes of Unai López and Isi Palazón, while Getafe could focus on a more counter-attacking style facilitated by their defensive set-up and ability to capitalize on set pieces. The outcome of this upcoming game will likely depend on which team can best adapt to these challenges and keep their cool under pressure, continuing the narrative of a hotly contested rivalry.
Expected lineups
- Formation: 4-3-3
- Players: Augusto Batalla (Goalkeeper), Andrei Rațiu (Defender), Pep Chavarría (Defender), Florian Lejeune (Defender), Nobel Mendy (Defender), Pedro Díaz (Midfielder), Unai López (Midfielder), Óscar Valentín (Midfielder), Isi (Forward), Sergio Palazón (Forward), Sergio Áttacker García (Forward)
- Formation: 3-4-1-2
- Players: David Soria (Goalkeeper), Dakonam Djené (Defender), Diego Rico (Defender), Kiko Femenía (Defender), Juan Iglesias (Defender), Domingos Duarte (Defender), Luis Milla (Midfielder), Mario Martín (Midfielder), Mauro Arambarri (Midfielder), Álex Sancris (Attacker), (Attacker)

