[t180_match_center fixture=”rayo-vallecano-vs-alaves”]
Match Overview
Matchday 2 of the 2026-27 La Liga season brings Rayo Vallecano and Deportivo Alavés together on Thursday, August 20, with kickoff set for 19:00 UTC (20:00 UK time). Ongoing safety concerns at Estadio de Vallecas mean Rayo will host this one at Estadio Municipal de Butarque, Leganés’ ground, following an arrangement brokered by the Community of Madrid — an unfamiliar backdrop for what is otherwise a well-worn early-season fixture between these two sides.
Head-to-Head Record
Recent head-to-head history leans heavily towards the hosts. Rayo Vallecano have won nine of the last thirteen meetings with Alavés in all competitions, including four straight home victories, and travelled to Mendizorrotza as recently as May 2026 to win 2-1. Alavés’ only success across the last five meetings between the clubs came in a Copa del Rey tie, and this fixture has not produced a single league draw in fifteen attempts — whatever happens on Thursday, a stalemate looks the least likely outcome on recent trends.
Rayo Vallecano: Form and Team News
Rayo’s form heading into the match is complicated by a tough opening result. They fell 2-1 away to Sevilla on matchday one, with Álvaro García opening the scoring inside four minutes before Sevilla drew level from the penalty spot and then snatched victory with a second penalty deep into stoppage time. Squad-wise, Rayo will again be without injured striker Raúl de Tomás, though Isi Palazón returns to available after a provisional suspension was lifted, and loan arrival Marash Kumbulla adds fresh depth at the back; winger Ilias Akhomach remains a doubt with an adductor issue.
Rayo Vallecano Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1)
Batalla; Balliu, Lejeune, Ratiu, Ciss; Valentín, Unai López; Álvaro García, Palazón, de Frutos; Nteka
Deportivo Alavés: Form and Team News
Alavés, by contrast, arrive full of confidence after the most eye-catching result of matchday one anywhere in La Liga — a 3-0 home win over Getafe, a game that swung decisively when their opponents were reduced to ten men before half-time. Deportivo have absorbed some squad losses over the summer, with Jon Guridi departing for Sevilla and Asier Villalibre also moving on, and they will be without defender Facundo Garcés for this trip after a lengthy suspension; goalkeeper Antonio Mendes is also dealing with a fitness issue.
Deportivo Alavés Predicted Lineup (3-5-2)
Sivera; Koski, Tenaglia, Otto; Pérez, Ibáñez, Blanco, Suárez, Rebbach; Martínez, Boyé
Venue and Trends to Watch
The venue change removes Rayo’s usual home comforts, but the broader head-to-head picture still favours them: they have kept a clean sheet in each of their last four home meetings with Alavés, and this fixture has swung their way in seven of the last ten encounters overall. Alavés will point to their own attacking upturn under Quique Sánchez Flores — averaging close to two goals a game across their last ten fixtures in all competitions — as reason to believe they can end that pattern.
Prediction and Betting Verdict
Markets currently make Rayo Vallecano the favourites at around 2.25 to win, with the draw closer to 3.15 and an Alavés win closer to 4.20 — implied probabilities of roughly 44%, 32% and 24% respectively once bookmaker margin is accounted for, broadly in line with model-based estimates elsewhere in the market. Between Rayo’s dominant recent head-to-head record and home comforts (even at a neutral-feeling venue) against an Alavés side buoyed by a big opening-day win but missing a key defender, a narrow home win or a tight, low-scoring draw both look like realistic outcomes — with recent history giving Rayo the narrow edge.
