Rayo Vallecano Summary
Rayo Vallecano comes into this game with morale and confidence still positive despite a cup loss to Sporting Gijon midweek.
In terms of the league form, all is positive for Rayo who is comfortably clear of the relegation zone and instead, looking up at the top six. No club currently boasts a longer unbeaten streak in the division after their entertaining 2-2 draw at Girona last time out.
Rayo has good team news with boss Iraola able to call on his entire squad, including the returning Alejandro Catena and Óscar Valentín.
The centre-back Catena was a big miss in their draw with Girona and he will have an important role to play against a dangerous Rayo attack.
Raul De Tomas is back in full training and should be an important part of the squad once match fit, which is still a couple of weeks from being the case. The former Madrid striker will be on the subs bench if called up.
Real Betis Summary
Real Betis have been blanked in their last two league matches but did blast four goals in a confidence-boosting away win to progress in the cup midweek.
The goalless draw at home to Athletic was a setback on top of the previous 3-0 loss in Valencia who are struggling badly this season.
This has become a crucial game to return to winning ways in the league, and team news is positive too as Pezzella and fellow centre-back Edgar González return.
Guido Martinez is also available and should star in what looks like a strong Betis line-up.
There is one new absence with Luiz Felipe banned after his late red in the frustrating draw to Bilbao last time out.
Betting Analysis
Looking at the 1×2 market first, where the slight favourite for this game is the home side Rayo Vallecano @ 2.0. Real Betis travel with promising team news and if they play their best, stand an excellent chance of winning this @ 3.15. The draw meanwhile is 3.30
Moving onto the Asian handicap market for this contest. Rayo Vallecano -0.25 is @ 2.03. clear preference here would be for Real Betis +0.25 with the draw onside as a half win @ 1.84.
Looking at The Under/Over market last of all which is at 2.25. Over is priced @ 1.97 while the Under is @ 1.85. Pellegrini has expressed concerns about fatigue building up with two cup runs ahead to combine with competitive La Liga matches. Based on this worry, the Betis boss could look to instruct his side to bide their time to play with high intensity, and they may well sit on a lead which isn’t ideal for over backers.
