Atletico Madrid – Rayo Vallecano Predictions, Odds and Betting Tips – 02.01.2022

⚽ Atletico Madrid – Rayo Vallecano Predictions

Atletico Madrid – Rayo Vallecano Tips and Odds. January 2, 16:15 SPAIN: LaLiga.

Atletico Madrid – Rayo Vallecano Preview

Two Champions League contenders will battle it out at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium, as Atlético Madrid lock horns with Rayo Vallecano. All signs would point to an Atlético victory, considering the Spanish giants have won their last eight home H2H clashes against Rayo, although Atlético do come into this clash on the back of four straight La Liga (LL) losses.
Two of those four losses came despite Atlético scoring first, but at home it tends to be a different story for ‘Colchoneros’ who have won in 80% of the games in which they have found an opener (W4, L1). Atlético will also hope to let in the New Year in style, boasting an impressive record in their opening LL game of a calendar year, going unbeaten in such matches across the last 12 years (W8, D4).
This season’s surprise package so far, Rayo, will be hoping to play the role of ‘party-poopers’, although their miserable recent away LL record against sides from Comunidad de Madrid (L7) suggests they will have their work cut out. Several confirmed Covid-19 cases certainly won’t help Rayo’s cause, but if they can upset the odds and secure victory, then they’d become the first newly-promoted side since Hércules in 2010/11 to win against both Barcelona and Atlético in a single season.
While no side in LL has claimed more points at home than Rayo ahead of the round, it’s been a totally different story on the road, with their paltry total of five points one of LL’s lowest. Perhaps the reasoning behind Rayo’s travel sickness is the eight away game openers they’ve conceded – the most of any LL side this season.
Players to watch: Atlético may look to Matheus Cunha should they need a late goal – his three LL strikes this season have all come beyond the 65th minute. Meanwhile, Radamel Falcao scored Rayo’s last LL away winning goal and three of his five LL strikes this season have proved to be winners.
Hot stat: Only Valencia (12) have conceded more first-half LL away goals than Rayo (ten) ahead of the round.