Rayo Vallecano host Valladolid at the Estadio de Vallecas for a round of Spanish La Liga matches on Thursday night. Rayo Vallecano are currently occupying the 10th position in the league table on 43 points after 32 games played, six points away from the European places. They were beaten 4-0 by Elche in their last outing; a game they started brightly coming off of their impressive win over Barcelona the previous week. The red card to their team player swung the momentum to Elche, who punished them for their one man disadvantage. Meanwhile, Valladolid are currently placed on the 16th position with 35 points, only four points away from the relegation zone. They were thrashed 5-2 by Atletico Madrid in their last game. I am predicting a Rayo Vallecano win for the following reasons:

Firstly. Valladolid have struggled a lot when playing away games this season. They have lost 12 of their 19 away games played so far in the league this season; that is about 63% of the games. And, they have only managed to win five of them. That struggle continued with their loss against Valencia in their latest away match played. Their away form is not something to be counted on as they take on Rayo Vallecano away from their home.

Secondly. Rayo Vallecano have had their struggles recently, after having been in a relatively good form throughout the season. But that have not affected their performance much at their home ground. They won their last two home games which came against Barcelona and Osasuna, and they have remained unbeaten in five of their last six home games.

Thirdly. Rayo Vallecano are offensively and defensively better than Valladolid. They have scored much more goals and conceded much lesser goals than Valladolid in the league this season. Rayo Vallecano are a stronger side than their opponents.

Rayo Vallecano will seek to bounce back immediately after their woeful outing against Elche, which was attributed mostly to the early red card they received. I am expecting a win for Rayo Vallecano from this encounter.