Girona Summary
Girona was on a momentum-building run before the World Cup break. On the back of their vital win over basement club Elche last time out, they are four games unbeaten which represents their best league streak since the end of 2018.
The hope for Girona is that the seven-week pause won’t have harmed their form, and the aim will be to get another 3 points from this contest. Confidence was dealt a blow last week however when they went crashing out of the Cup to a lower league club, Cacereño.
Boss Michel Sanchez spoke about good morale and optimism before the meeting with Rayo Vallecano, he is determined to end 2022 on a high. The boss has numerous absences, with Juanpe, Javi Hernández, and Reinier all out due to injury.
Ibrahima Kébé and Borja García are doubts for the host. They are expected to be available, and the more important latter could make the squad, but neither is 100%.
Rayo Vallecano Summary
Rayo comes into this game with good morale and confidence, now six league matches without suffering defeat. They were disappointed by the goalless draw with Celta before the World Cup break however and have a couple of important new absences here.
Rayo is unable to call on both Alejandro Catena and Óscar Valentín due to suspension. The centre-back Catena is a big miss and the loss is amplified with the holding midfielder Valentin also absent, harming the spine of the Rayo Vallecano team.
Fringe player Randy Nteka is a big doubt for the visitor but on a positive note, Iraola has seen Raul De Tomas and Salvi Sanchez both back to full training this month. For the former, he is a long way from match fitness, but the boss hinted at a return to action for the striker as a sub in the contest with Girona.
Betting Analysis
Looking at the 1×2 betting market first where there is not much between the two clubs. The marginal favourite for this game is Girona based on home advantage. They are priced @ 2.4 to get the win. The draw can be backed @ 3.25, while the away victory would pay @ 3.15 if Rayo Vallecano could grab the points.
Moving onto the Asian handicap market for this contest. For favourite backers, they would need Girona -0.25 @ 2.05 to gain victory for a full win, while a draw returns half their stake. Rayo can struggle on the road, but the coach Iraola feels optimistic given the break, pointing that his team needed to freshen up. Rayo +0.25/1.830 looks a smart bet here given that the draw sees half the stake returned as a win.
Looking at The Under/Over market last of all where they line is set at 2.25 goals. Under is a marginal favourite here, paying 1.89, while over is @ 1.94.
