Experts present the best predictions, odds, and betting analysis for Athletic Club versus Rayo Vallecano in La Liga on December 2, 2023.
A pivotal clash unfolds in San Mamés as Rayo Vallecano may edge ahead on the road. The away form of Francisco’s squad has been striking this season, a notable contrast to last year when Andoni Iraola sat on the bench, while Athletic Bilbao has faced domestic challenges in search of consistent results.
- Double Chance: Draw or Rayo Vallecano – 2.30 with bet365
- Rayo Vallecano Total Goals: +0.5 – 1.57 with bet365
- First team to score: Rayo Vallecano – 3.25 with bet365
- Player to receive a card: Iñigo Ruiz de Galarreta – 2.60 with bet365
Odds cited are from bet365 and are correct at the time of publication, with changes possible over time.
Another challenge ahead for Rayo
The season’s recent run tests Rayo Vallecano with a five-match stretch against top six opposition ahead. Yet the Madrid side has shown resilience by winning at home against Real Sociedad and Barcelona and by earning a draw at the Santiago Bernabéu. The only recent setback came in a 1-2 defeat to Girona, underscoring the narrow margins in this campaign.
Now a tricky visit to San Mamés awaits. If history is any guide, Rayo can be optimistic about at least snagging another point. Two of Athletic Bilbao’s last four home matches ended in draws against mid-table opponents like Getafe and Valencia. Moreover, Athletic narrowly defeated Celta in Bilbao with a late penalty, a reminder of how momentum can shift in their stadium.
Rayo enters this weekend’s game having lost just one of eight away fixtures this season, a record that includes a goalless draw at the Bernabéu and a stingy defensive record as they travel. The challenge remains formidable, but the visitors have proven capable of stealing results on the road when the plan comes together.
Rayo Vallecano offers more certainty
The Canary team appears committed to keeping matches within reach until the final whistle, then elevating the tempo to squeeze out results. Their performance shows a tendency to generate a sizable share of goals in the latter stages of matches, highlighting the value of live betting on second-half scoring opportunities in this fixture. Injuries, notably to Jose Angel Carmona, have influenced defensive stability, which adds another layer of risk to this matchup.
For bettors seeking a bit more risk, a strategy that has shown itself in recent league visits involves Getafe starting as the first scorer, a pattern that has occurred in two of the last three league trips with Borja Mayoral finding the net early. Getafe themselves made an impression by opening the scoring in Santiago Bernabéu, and it is worth noting that two of the last three teams to visit Gran Canaria have struck first, a trend that could tilt the balance in this game as well.
Source: Goal