The La Liga Round 16 match between Rayo Vallecano and Betis will take place on December 15 at the Campo de Vallecas in Madrid. Rayo Vallecano – Betis: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Rayo Vallecano
After three successive draws, Rayo Vallecano suffered a narrow 0-1 defeat to Espanyol in the last round. That result extended their winless run in La Liga to five matches (3 draws, 2 defeats). In four of those five games the Madrid side failed to score. Across the season the team has produced modest attacking returns, with just 13 league goals to date. Defensively they have conceded 16, a total worse than only three other teams in the division.
- At least one team failed to score in 8 of Rayo’s last 9 league matches.
- No more than 2 goals were scored in 5 of the club’s last 6 fixtures in this competition.
- Rayo Vallecano haven’t conceded more than one goal in 7 consecutive home La Liga matches.
Estimated line-up Rayo Vallecano (4-2-3-1)*
Augusto Batalla – Andrei Ratiu, Florian Lejeune, Nobel Mendy, Pep Chavarria – Oscar Valentin, Unai Lopez – Isi Palazon, Gerard Gumbau, Francisco Perez – Jorge de Frutos.
Midfielder Unai Lopez is suspended. Midfielder Pape Siss has served his suspension and could return. Defenders Abdul Mumin and Alfonso Espino, forward Aleman, and midfielders Pedro Diaz, Oscar Trejo and Randy Nteka are unavailable through injury.
Betis
Betis remain in the hunt for European qualification but were beaten 3-5 at home by Barcelona in the last round. Conceding four goals in one match equalled more than they had let in across their previous five league fixtures combined. That defeat ended a four-game unbeaten run in La Liga (2 wins, 2 draws) and dropped Manuel Pellegrini's side to sixth, six points shy of Espanyol, albeit with games in hand. Betis have scored in five consecutive league matches.
- Betis have conceded in 6 of their last 8 La Liga matches.
- At least 2 goals were scored in each of the club’s last 13 games in this competition.
- The Andalusians have scored in 16 consecutive away league matches.
Estimated line-up Betis (4-2-3-1)*
Alvaro Valles – Marc Bartra, Natan, Aitor Ruibal, Valentin Gomez – Sergi Altimira, Marc Roca – Antony Matheus, Pablo Fornals, Abde Ezzalzouli – Kuchi Hernandez.
Midfielder Isco and defenders Hector Bellerin and Junior Firpo are unavailable due to health issues. Midfielders Sofyan Amrabat and Giovani Lo Celso could return to the squad.
Referee
Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea (Spain)
Matches – 8 (La Liga, 2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 30;
Average yellow cards per match – 3.7;
Red cards shown – 1;
Average fouls per match – 23;
Penalties – 38%.
Match prediction: Rayo Vallecano – Betis
Rayo Vallecano have been underwhelming in the opening half of the season. After 15 rounds they have only four wins and have suffered six defeats. Their only strong run came in October when they collected nine points; since then they have gone five La Liga games without a win (3 draws, 2 losses). Home advantage exists, but it is unlikely to be decisive — Rayo have won just one of their last eight home league matches.
Betis have lost only three league games this season, and those defeats have come exclusively against teams in the top half of the table, notably on home soil. On the road they have collected two wins and five draws from seven league trips. Importantly, Betis have taken at least one point in 11 of the last 12 league meetings with Rayo Vallecano (6 wins, 5 draws).
Conclusion — Betis to win or draw
*The starting XI for each team is shown from their previous match in this competition.
