Rayo Vallecano vs Getafe Preview: Team News & Prediction

Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!

We have a bit of a Madrid derby to kick off Spanish football in 2026 as Rayo Vallecano welcome Getafe to Vallecas in a quite an unpredictable encounter in the capital city.

Kick-off date/time:

How to watch on TV: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN have the exclusive rights to La Liga games in the USA, so any game may be televised on one of their affiliated channels

How to watch online: UK – Premier Player / Disney+ / US – ESPN+

Rayo Vallecano preview: Struggling Rayo

Having qualified for the UEFA Europa Conference League last season, Rayo Vallecano have done well to balance domestic and European commitments but the fatigue of their style and the congestion is beginning to have an impact on the side.

Inigo Perez’ side come into this one on the back of a 4-0 hammering at the hands of Elche a couple of weeks ago, before the winter break, meaning that they are now winless in their last seven matches in La Liga.

Getafe preview: Stubborn Getafe

Jose Bordalas is known for an aggressive and hostile approach with Getafe often overperforming due to being able to make it extremely difficult for pretty much anyone they face, but they remain one of the most tedious teams to watch.

The visitors went into the winter break in La Liga on the back of three successive losses with their most recent outing being a 4-0 hammering at the hands of Real Betis at La Cartuja in Seville a fortnight ago.

Rayo Vallecano team news: Plenty of injuries

With both Pathe Ciss and Randy Nteka away at the CAF Africa Cup of Nations, Rayo Vallecano are also dealing with a couple of injury issues, too, such as Jorge de Frutos and Alemao.

Predicted XI (4-3-3): Augusto Batalla; Ratiu, Lejeune, Mendy, Pep Chavarria; Unai Lopez, Oscar Valentin, Alfonso Espino; Isi Palazon, Sergio Camello, Alvaro Garcia

Unavailable: Mumin (Injured), Ciss (International duty), Jorge de Frutos (Injured), Nteka (International duty)

Questionable: Balliu (Injured), Alemao (Injured)

Getafe team news: A few issues

Defensive duo Abdel Abqar and Davinchi are both confirmed absentees for Getafe, while the likes of Coba da Costa and Abu Kamara both need to be re-registered.

Predicted XI (4-4-2): David Soria; Juan Iglesias, Domingos Duarte, Djene, Nyom; Kiko Femenia, Mario Martin, Mauro Arambarri, Luis Milla; Adrian Liso, Borja Mayoral

Unavailable: Abqar (Injured), Davinchi (Injured)

Questionable: Da Costa (Ineligible), Kamara (Ineligible)

Rayo Vallecano vs Getafe prediction

Rayo Vallecano and Getafe play very different styles. Rayo are capable of creating, but wasting, a lot of chances with an aggressive and intense style that seeks to suffocate their opposition. Getafe, on the other hand, are a lot more reactive and defensive, as shown by the fact they have scored just 13 goals thus far. The likelihood is, given Rayo’s lack of efficiency in the final third, a low-scoring encounter is to be expected in the capital city.

Rayo Vallecano vs Getafe tip: Under 2.5 goals