Celta Vigo vs Rayo Vallecano Predictions, Lineups & Betting Tips

Celta Vigo vs Rayo Vallecano Predictions, Lineups & Betting Tips

Match Details: January 18, 2026 | Estadio Abanca Balaídos | La Liga | 17:30 GMT

Celta Vigo continue their push for European qualification come the end of the season as they host Rayo Vallecano, a side who are right in the centre of the mid-table cluster, where a few points separate a lot of teams. The hosts come into this in high spirits following some good results and are in a strong position to have a punt at making the top six, so they won't underestimate how important a win here could be. For Vallecano, Europe was never really on the agenda, so three points would go a long way in cementing a mid-table position and avoiding relegation, even though that doesn't really feel like too much of a threat for them at this stage.

Key Betting Tips: Over 2.5 Goals and BTTS @ 2.65 odds on Coral, 2.63 odds on BoyleSports or 2.27 odds on Kwiff all represent good value based on the tip provided by Football Park's advanced algorithm.

Both sides have looked good in front of goal recently and the likelihood of an entertaining affair is pretty high, so opting for this bet looks like good value.

Celta Vigo vs Rayo Vallecano Predicted Lineups

Celta Vigo Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Ionuț Radu; Marcos Alonso, Carl Starfelt, Javi Rodriguez; Óscar Mingueza, Miguel Román, Ilaix Moriba, Sergio Carreira; Bryan Zaragoza, Williot Swedberg; Borja Iglesias

Claudio Giráldez's side are fortunate enough to not be suffering from any injuries to their main squad, so should be able to line up with a strong side in this game.

Rayo Vallecano Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Augusto Batalla; Josep Chavarría, Nobel Mendy, Florian Lejeune, Ivan Balliu; Pedro Díaz, Gerard Gumbau; Carlos Martín, Isi Palazón, Álvaro García; Jorge de Frutos

In contrast to their opponents, Rayo Vallecano are going to have to do without quite a lot of first team talent in this game, mostly through injury. Unai Lopez, Andrei Rațiu and Sergio Camello are all in doubt as to whether they will be fit to play, while Abdul Mumin has returned to first team training, but his participation in this one isn't guaranteed. Felipe Luiz isn't expected back for a few weeks and Óscar Valentín is serving a suspension, while Pathé Ciss remains at AFCON with finalists Senegal.

Celta Vigo vs Rayo Vallecano Current League Standings

Celta Vigo are enjoying a positive season so far as they continue to push for Europe, finding themselves coming into this in seventh and just one goal difference behind Betis in the Conference League spot. They've managed to earn a little but of wiggle room as they sit five points clear of the chasing pack, and considering they have a game in hand, a win here would put them in a great position to apply pressure on the Europa League spot as well. The only complaint the hosts will have about their campaign will be that they've drawn more league games than they've won, which doesn't feel particularly sustainable, and means that if they can find the cutting edge to turn one point into three on a more regular basis, then they'll be a threatening side at the top end of the table.

The visitors, meanwhile, are cemented in the mid-table scrap, where a plethora of sides are separated by just a handful of points. Between eighth and 17th are just six points, and with Vallecano in 11th, they are right in the mixer. One positive result could see them fly up the table, but a loss would have the opposite effect, so it is important that they try not to base their season on their league position right now, and instead work on improving their consistency and stringing together good results. They only sit five points ahead of Valencia in the relegation places, so even though the threat isn't imminent, they should still be watching over their shoulders.

Celta Vigo vs Rayo Vallecano Head-to-Head Timeline

Rayo Vallecano have technically been the better side out of the two in recent encounters, despite three of their last five matches ending as draws. They won the other two, cementing their claim as the stronger team when they have faced off over the last 15 years, bringing them up to a total of nine wins, to which Celta Vigo have responded with just five of their own. The three draws saw the total increase to seven draws in that time frame, proving they are often well-matched to each other.

Recent Head-to-Head Results:

• September 21, 2025: Rayo Vallecano 1-1 Celta Vigo (La Liga)
• May 18, 2025: Celta Vigo 1-2 Rayo Vallecano (La Liga)
• January 10, 2025: Rayo Vallecano 2-1 Celta Vigo (La Liga)
• March 31, 2024: Celta Vigo 0-0 Rayo Vallecano (La Liga)
• December 11, 2023: Rayo Vallecano 0-0 Celta Vigo (La Liga)

Celta Vigo and Rayo Vallecano Recent Matches Analysis

Celta Vigo Last 5 Matches:

• Celta Vigo 1-0 Sevilla (A) – La Liga
• Celta Vigo 4-1 Valencia (H) - La Liga
• Celta Vigo 0-0 Real Oviedo (H) - La Liga
• Celta Vigo 2-2 Albacete (A) - Copa del Rey, Albacete win 3-0 on penalties
• Celta Vigo 2-0 Athletic Club (H) - La Liga

This is a strange one because, for the most part, Celta Vigo have been in really positive form, technically unbeaten in five in all competitions, winning three and drawing one in their last four outings in the league. What sways the look of this run, unfortunately, is the shock defeat on penalties to Albacete, though it doesn't look quite as bad now the minnows have gone on to knock Real Madrid out of the same competition. Beyond that, three clean sheets in five is a very strong defensive record to be upholding, and to have scored nine times in five games is a very promising sign going forward for Celta Vigo.

Rayo Vallecano Last 5 Matches:

• Rayo Vallecano 0-2 Deportivo Alaves (A) - Copa del Rey
• Rayo Vallecano 2-1 Mallorca (H) - La Liga
• Rayo Vallecano 3-1 Granada (A) - Copa del Rey
• Rayo Vallecano 1-1 Getafe (H) - La Liga
• Rayo Vallecano 0-4 Elche (A) - La Liga

Rayo Vallecano's form is pretty standard for a mid-table side, where they seem to have lacked consistency but are still picking up decent enough results to remain competitive. They were unfortunately knocked out of the cup last time out against Alaves, but on the bright side, they're now able to refocus on the league and making sure they can grind out some points to help them in the mid-table battle. Thought the threat isn't imminent, avoiding relegation should still be on their radar at this stage, so they'll need to start finding more consistency soon. Six goals scored in their last five games looks like a decent return in front of goal at first glance, but the fact that they have conceded nine times in that period makes it quickly become underwhelming. If it tells us one thing, though, it's that there's definitely a chance for action at either end when this team play.

Celta Vigo vs Rayo Vallecano Predictions

Our advanced algorithm analyses over 200 data points to generate these predictions with a 63.30% confidence in BTTS and a 60.00% confidence in Over 2.5 Goals. The model factors in current form, head-to-head records, player availability, and tactical matchups.

Best Celta Vigo vs Rayo Vallecano Betting Tips

Football Park’s Best Bet: Over 2.5 Goals and BTTS @ 2.65 odds on Coral - Action at both ends seems to be the overwhelming outcome from the recent outings of these sides, and they've both proven they are more than capable when it's their turn in front of goal, so based on the odds provided, this seems like the best bet to back.

Key Players to Watch: Celta Vigo vs Rayo Vallecano

Oscar Mingueza (Celta Vigo): The left midfielder has been in good form lately, dropping some strong performances in recent weeks to help his side maintain their positive results. He gets regularly involved in the build-up from the left flank and has been one of the key players in creating chances for them this season.

Isi Palazón (Rayo Vallecano): The 31-year old has translated experience into quality this season, using his excellent ability on the ball to craft chances for Vallecano when it matters. Palazón has been at the club for six years now and has been as important to their style of play as ever, proving especially useful from dead-ball situations and set-pieces.

Celta Vigo vs Rayo Vallecano Match Facts

Broadcast Details: Premier Sports Player, LaLigaTV

Referee: Name

Stadium Information: Located in Vigo, Spain and known as the Estadio Abanca Balaídos for sponsorship reasons, the Balaídos stadium has a capacity of 24,870 and opened in 1928.

Celta Vigo vs Rayo Vallecano: Final Prediction

Celta Vigo 2-2 Rayo Vallecano