Rayo Vallecano vs. Villarreal 5/12/22 LaLiga Soccer Pick, Predictions, and Odds

Rayo Vallecano is hosting Villarreal at Estadio de Vallecas in round 36 of the Spanish LaLiga. Rayo has been outstanding at home this season, they are far away from the relegation zone, but they are also far away from any of the European spots. Villarreal is chasing after Sociedad and that Europa League spot, and they are certainly good enough to get there.

Rayo is undefeated in their last 4 games, but they have 2 draws in their last 2 games, which isn’t bad, to be honest. With 42 points, Rayo Vallecano is now in 12^th place, they have scored only 35 goals in 35 games, but they have also conceded only 39 goals so far this season. After these games, Rayo has 2 easier games to play, but since they don’t need anything, there is no pressure on them to get a positive result. Rayo Vallecano can relax, and they can enjoy playing football. With 6 scored goals each, Falcao, Guardiola, and Garcia are leading goalscorers for Rayo Vallecano. Trejo has added 8 assists. There are no injuries in Rayo as of right now. This was a good season for Rayo Vallecano, they are deservedly staying in the league, but maybe their ambitions will grow for next season.

Villarreal hasn’t won any of their last 4 games, while they have lost 3 of those 4 games, and that is why they need to chase Real Sociedad. With 53 points, Villarreal is now in 7^th place, which is only 3 points less than Real Sociedad has in 6^th place. After getting to the Champions League semifinals this season, I’m pretty sure Villarreal will not be happy with the Conference League, but all they can do is win games and try to get to the Europa League. Moreno, Danjum, and Pino are all listed as injured, and that is a huge blow for this team because Danjuma and Moreno are two of their leading goalscorers with 10 and 9 goals. Pino has added 6 goals and 4 assists. Villarreal is a fantastic team with amazing support from the stands, but that wasn’t enough to beat Liverpool in the Champions League, and I’m not sure it will be enough for them to get to the Europa League spot, I hope they do, but it will be hard.

Villarreal is in much, much worse form right now, but they are the better team here overall. The injuries Villarreal has certainly won’t help them here, but maybe some of those players will be ready for this game. I see the under in this one, and that doesn’t make me happy at all.