Granada CF vs Rayo Vallecano — Match Preview
A classic “Dia de Reyes” (Three Kings Day) showdown awaits at the Estadio Nuevo Los Cármenes on Tuesday, 6 January 2026. Granada CF, currently battling in the upper echelons of La Liga 2, host top-flight Rayo Vallecano in the Copa del Rey Round of 32. The hosts are looking to bounce back from a stinging 2–3 defeat to Almeria just three days ago, a result that dented their promotion charge. Rayo Vallecano, meanwhile, are enduring a difficult winter spell. Despite a comfortable Conference League win over Drita recently, their domestic form has been erratic, highlighted by a heavy 0–4 loss to Elche and a frustrating 1–1 draw with Getafe.2 With Rayo’s focus split between La Liga survival and Europe, Granada will smell a giant-killing opportunity.
Granada CF vs Rayo Vallecano — Match Info
- Competition: Copa del Rey (Round of 32)
- Venue: Estadio Nuevo Los Cármenes, Granada (Capacity: 22,524)
- Date: Tuesday, 6 January 2026
- Kickoff: 18:00 CET | 17:00 GMT | 12:00 ET
- Referee: TBC (RFEF Appointment)
Granada CF vs Rayo Vallecano — Match Stakes
Granada CF (La Liga 2):
- Win → Moves to Round of 16; a massive morale booster and a chance to host a “Big 3” team next.3
- Loss → Elimination; allows full focus on the La Liga 2 promotion race (currently chasing the top 6).
Rayo Vallecano (La Liga):
- Win → Moves to Round of 16; restores confidence after the Elche hammering.
- Loss → A cup upset that heaps pressure on the manager; confirms a poor run of domestic form (0 wins in last 3 league games).
Granada CF vs Rayo Vallecano — Team News
Granada CF:
- Rotation Expected: With a grueling promotion battle ongoing, fringe players like Manu Trigueros (veteran experience) and Shon Weissman (if available) may start.
- Luca Zidane — Likely to start in goal for the Cup.
- Uzuni M. — Key threat, but may be rested for the weekend league fixture.
Rayo Vallecano:
- European Hangover: Rayo are juggling La Liga and the UECL.4 Expect rotation from the XI that drew with Getafe.
- Raúl de Tomás (R.D.T) — Needs minutes and goals; likely to lead the line.
- James Rodríguez — If fit, the Colombian star could feature to provide the creative spark Rayo desperately needs.
- Defensive Fragility: Conceding 4 vs Elche suggests the backline needs a reshuffle; Aridane or Mumin could step in.
Granada CF vs Rayo Vallecano — Team Form (Last 5 Matches)
Granada CF
- 03/01 — 2–3 vs Almeria (La Liga 2)
- 21/12 — 1–1 vs Albacete (La Liga 2)
- 13/12 — 0–1 vs Sporting Gijon (La Liga 2)
- 08/12 — 1–1 vs Ceuta (La Liga 2)
- 05/12 — 1–0 vs Tenerife (Copa del Rey)
Rayo Vallecano
- 03/01 — 1–1 vs Getafe (La Liga)
- 21/12 — 0–4 vs Elche (La Liga)
- 19/12 — 3–0 vs Drita (UECL)
- 16/12 — 0–0 vs Real Betis (La Liga)
- 11/12 — 2–1 vs Jagiellonia (UECL)
Granada CF vs Rayo Vallecano — Head-to-Head (Last 5 Meetings)
- 15/05/2024 — Rayo Vallecano 2–1 Granada CF (La Liga)
- 22/08/2023 — Granada CF 0–2 Rayo Vallecano (La Liga)
- 03/04/2022 — Granada CF 2–2 Rayo Vallecano (La Liga)
- 29/08/2021 — Rayo Vallecano 4–0 Granada CF (La Liga)
- 08/05/2018 — Granada CF 0–2 Rayo Vallecano (La Liga 2)
Granada CF vs Rayo Vallecano — Playing XI (Predicted Lineups)
Granada CF (4-4-2)
L. Zidane; Ricard, Rubio, Insua, Neva; Tsitaishvili, Hongla, Trigueros, Jozwiak; Weissman, Boyé
Rayo Vallecano (4-2-3-1)
Cárdenas; Ratiu, Mumin, Lejeune, Chavarría; Ciss, Unai López; De Frutos, Trejo, Álvaro García; De Tomás
Granada CF vs Rayo Vallecano — Impact Bench
Granada CF: Uzuni (Top Scorer), Villar (Midfield control)
Rayo Vallecano: Isi Palazón (Game changer), Camello (Energy)
Granada CF vs Rayo Vallecano — Tactical Analysis
Granada CF
Playing at Los Cármenes, Granada will look to disrupt Rayo’s rhythm with physical play in midfield (led by Hongla). They have struggled defensively (conceding in their last 4 games), so they cannot afford to sit too deep.14 Their best route to goal is wide play, utilizing the pace of Tsitaishvili to stretch Rayo’s rotated full-backs.
Rayo Vallecano
Rayo loves to press high, but fatigue is a factor. In the Copa, they often struggle against organized lower-league sides. They will rely on Óscar Trejo to find pockets of space between the lines. If Granada sits back, Rayo’s lack of clinical finishing (De Tomás has struggled for consistency) could be their undoing. However, their transition speed with Álvaro García remains elite.
Granada CF vs Rayo Vallecano — Key Battles
- Boyé vs Lejeune — Physical striker vs Rayo’s defensive leader.
- Trigueros vs Trejo — Battle of the veteran playmakers.
- Ricard vs Álvaro García — Pace battle on the flank; Granada’s right-back must stay disciplined.
- Zidane vs De Tomás — Can the goalkeeper stop Rayo’s hungry striker?
Granada CF vs Rayo Vallecano — Spotlight Players
Granada CF — Luca Zidane
The goalkeeper faces his former club (Rayo).15 He will be highly motivated to prove a point and keep a clean sheet against his old teammates.
Rayo Vallecano — Raúl de Tomás
“R.D.T.” thrives in the spotlight. With Rayo needing goals to snap their domestic slump, the Cup offers him the perfect stage to regain his scoring touch.
Granada CF vs Rayo Vallecano — Prediction
Granada CF 1–2 Rayo Vallecano16
Granada are formidable at home, but Rayo Vallecano have had their number historically (unbeaten in the last 5 meetings). Despite Rayo’s recent wobble against Elche, their extra quality in the final third—and the depth provided by players like Isi and Camello off the bench—should see them edge a tight, nervy contest.
Granada CF vs Rayo Vallecano — Betting Insights
- Rayo Vallecano to Win — Value Bet (History favors them).
- Both Teams to Score — YES (Granada leaking goals; Rayo often concede away).
- Over 2.5 Goals — Possible (Cup ties often open up late).
Granada CF vs Rayo Vallecano — Where to Watch
- Spain: Movistar+, TVE (La 1/Teledeporte)
- USA: ESPN+
- International: RFEF TV (YouTube – Select Regions)
Granada CF vs Rayo Vallecano — FAQs
Q: When is the Granada vs Rayo match?
A: The match kicks off on Tuesday, 6 January 2026, at 18:00 CET.19
Q: Is this a one-legged tie?
A: Yes. The Copa del Rey Round of 32 is a single-elimination match played at the lower-ranked team’s stadium.20
Q: Who won the last time they played?
A: Rayo Vallecano won 2–1 in La Liga on May 15, 2024.21
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