- In LaLiga 2026/2027, Rayo Vallecano are 17th with nine points from nine games, Celta de Vigo 9th with 11 from nine.
- Rayo Vallecano's three recent results have been two 1-1 draws (at Osasuna and Getafe) and a 3-0 defeat at home to Elche.
- Celta de Vigo have won three of their last five (D1, L1) and arrive in Madrid in good shape after two consecutive wins (2-1 v Deportivo Alaves in LaLiga and 2-1 away to Celtic in UEFA Europa League).
Home side may edge close clash
Rayo Vallecano have not been great in the opening throes of the 2026-2027 LaLiga season, but a home game against a Celta de Vigo side that haven't won either of their two road games against Rayo Vallecano provides Benat San Jose's side with a good chance to kick on.
Rayo have taken 1 win, 2 draws and two defeats from their last five matches, so they're clearly not yet in their stride and it's a little too soon to write this as a must-avoid fixture. But they have been playing with some verve since the Basque coach took over on 1st July and they should get on the front foot in a match that could easily be cagey.
Celta won this corresponding fixture 3-0 at home in a LaLiga 2025/2026 game that was played to a similar script. Los Franjirrojos play a front-foot, high-intensity game that is built on the counter-press and transitions from defence to attack, while Claudio Giraldez's Celestes are a more patient, possession-first team that play with a structure and selective pressing.
Rayo’s directness could trouble Celestes
It was Sergio Camello who did most of the damage that day and is Rayo's main danger man again this term with seven goals in seven LaLiga 2026/2027 games. He has bagged two of Rayo's last five, which makes him a solid anytime scorer pick for Saturday's game.
Rayo are a better team at Campo de Futbol de Vallecas than their early results suggest. They have won two, drawn one and lost once at home in the league and should still be able to dig out a result against the Celestes, who are unbeaten in four away from home in 2026/2027 (D4, L0) but yet to taste a win.
Pablo Duran has 2 goals in five LaLiga 2026/2027 games and looks to be Celta's focal point, but his best chance of getting on the scoresheet on Saturday may be to play the ball into the box for Javi Rodriguez, who has three of Celta's last 10 goals in his last five appearances.
Celta’s ball retention could cause Rayo problems
Celta's overall form is stronger than Rayo's and it will be a surprise if Los Franjirrojos take all three points here, but the home side's edge means this should be a close and tight affair. The odds-on for Rayo at 2.2 is a bit on the short side while Celta look a little too big at 3.2, so we're going to take the draw at 3.3.
Under 2.5 goals at 1.8 and both teams to score - No at 2.0 both fit the script of a close and cagey clash.
