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Espanyol and Rayo Vallecano are in totally different situations right now. If the hosts have nothing left to fight for this season and are in very poor form, Rayo is flying high and is still in big need of points in order to avoid relegation. This should make for an interesting encounter and we have some nice betting options as well.
Espanyol was right there with the top teams for the first part of the season, but lately their form dipped and now the hosts are on the 10th place, with no perspective of relegation of european football. It’s possible that this lack of motivation was the key factor in Espanyol’s recent run of bad form. The Barcelona side has won just once in the last 5 rounds and is on the back of 2 successive defeats, the last one a disappointing 1-4 loss to Sevilla.
Rayo Vallecano was on the last place in La Liga for much of this season despite playing pretty good possession, offensive football. Their efforts finally paid dues in the last 2 months, with Rayo starting to win games and reaching the 14th place in the table, 4 points away from the relegation zone. Rayo is in excellent form right now, winning 5 of the last 7 games and losing only to Real Madrid in that timespan, an amazing record for a team battling relegation. Last round Rayo put on a show again, routing a decent Celta Vigo side 3-0 at home.
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Bet with the best odds and highest limits at Pinnacle. |
Team news & lineups
Alfonso is the only absentee for Espanyol, but the hosts do have 3 other players who have to undergo late fitness tests: Mattioni, Lopez and Abraham. Rayo will have to do without Rat, Carlos and Viera, while Nery Castillo and Galeano are doubtful.
Espanyol: Casilla – Lopez, Rodriguez, Colotto, Fuentes – Abraham, Lopez – Simao, Pizzi, Stuani – Garcia
Rayo Vallecano: Martinez – Arbilla, Castro, Galvez, Nacho – Niguez, Trashorras – Rochina, Bueno, Falque – Larrivey
Espanyol might be the better team quality wise, but the difference is slim and the circumstances in which this game is played make the ~1.80 odds on the hosts a joke. Rayo is in excellent form, they defeated better team than Espanyol lately both home and on the road, and motivation is also on the visitors’ side. I expect Rayo to dictate the tempo in this game as they are the more offensive minded team and if they are careful on the breaks they should be able to get a result here, maybe even a win. My tip is Rayo Valecano +0,5 handicap (x2 double chance). The odds for this bet are excellent value. Prediction: Espanyol – Rayo Vallecano 1-1.
Pick: Rayo Vallecano (+0,5)
Odds: 2.12 @ Pinnacle
Stake: 8
Possible profit: 8.96
Event date: 13 April
