Celta Vigo vs Rayo Vallecano: Predictions, Team News, and Lineups
Celta Vigo will be looking to extend their impressive streak in La Liga as they host Rayo Vallecano at Balaidos Stadium on Sunday evening. Currently positioned seventh in the league, Celta is level on points with sixth-placed Real Betis. In contrast, Rayo Vallecano sits 10th, trailing by seven points.
Recent Performance
Celta Vigo has shown strong form recently. They secured four wins and one draw in their last five league outings. Their current record stands at seven victories, eight draws, and four defeats, amassing 29 points from 19 matches. Successful recent matches include a convincing 4-1 win against Valencia and a narrow 1-0 victory over Sevilla.
Despite being eliminated from the Copa del Rey last month, Celta remains competitive in the Europa League, and they have a home fixture against Lille coming up. Interestingly, Celta has struggled at home this season, winning only twice in La Liga.
Rayo Vallecano’s Situation
Rayo Vallecano has had its fair share of ups and downs. Eliminated from the Copa del Rey after a 2-0 loss to Alaves, they remain engaged in European competitions. In the league, they have achieved a record of five wins, seven draws, and seven losses, totaling 22 points from 19 matches.
Rayo Vallecano started 2026 with two victories in four games, including a recent 2-1 win against Mallorca. Historically, Rayo has struggled against Celta, recording 22 wins, 21 losses, and 20 draws in 63 matches across all competitions.
Team News
- Celta Vigo: Head coach Claudio Giraldez may have a fully-fit squad, creating selection dilemmas. Striker Borja Iglesias, with seven goals in 18 appearances, is a key player. Iago Aspas may be benched as Williot Swedberg is likely to start.
- Rayo Vallecano: Midfielder Pathe Ciss is unavailable due to his involvement in the Africa Cup of Nations. Additionally, Oscar Valentin is suspended, and injuries will sideline Andrei Ratiu, Luiz Felipe, Abdul Mumin, and Diego Mendez.
Predicted Lineups
| Team | Possible Starting XI |
|---|---|
| Celta Vigo | Radu; Alonso, Starfelt, Rodriguez; Carreira, Roman, Moriba, Mingueza; Swedberg, Iglesias, Zaragoza |
| Rayo Vallecano | Batalla; Balliu, Lejeune, Mendy, Chavarria; Gumbau, Diaz; A Garcia, Palazon, Martin; De Frutos |
Match Prediction
The upcoming game appears evenly matched. Celta has home advantage but might struggle as they have drawn half of their ten home league games this season. A predicted outcome is a 1-1 draw between Celta Vigo and Rayo Vallecano.
