Rayo Vallecano vs Real Betis: Prediction, Lineups, Kickoff Time | La Liga 2025/26

On: December 13, 2025 1:04 AM

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Rayo Vallecano vs Real Betis — Match Preview

A fascinating clash of styles and European contenders takes place at the Campo de Fútbol de Vallecas on Sunday, 14 December 2025. Both sides come into this fixture on short rest after securing victories in their respective European competitions on Thursday night. Rayo Vallecano sit 12th with 17 points, struggling for consistency but always dangerous at home. Real Betis are flying high in 6th place with 24 points, despite a chaotic 3–5 loss to Barcelona last weekend. With the narrow pitch at Vallecas and tired legs from midweek travel, this promises to be an intense, high-energy battle.

Rayo Vallecano vs Real Betis — Match Info

Competition: La Liga (Matchday 16)
Venue: Campo de Fútbol de Vallecas, Madrid (Capacity: 14,708)
Date: Sunday, 14 December 2025
Kickoff: 18:30 CET | 17:30 GMT | 23:00 IST
Referee: TBC (RFEF Appointment)

Rayo Vallecano vs Real Betis — Match Stakes

Rayo Vallecano (12th — 17 pts):

Win → Moves to 20 pts; jumps into the top half of the table
Draw → Keeps them mid-table; extends unbeaten home run vs Betis to 3 games
Loss → Drops towards the danger zone; pressure mounts on home form

Real Betis (6th — 24 pts):

Win → Moves to 27 pts; solidifies European spot and chases Atletico/Villarreal
Draw → A decent result away after a European trip
Loss → Allows Athletic Club or Real Sociedad to close the gap on 6th place

Rayo Vallecano vs Real Betis — Team News

Rayo Vallecano:

Rotation Alert: Having played Jagiellonia in Poland on Thursday, fatigue is a major factor.
Mumin A. — Available (Key Defender)
Isi Palazon — Available (Talisman)
No major fresh injuries reported from midweek.

Real Betis:

Rotation Alert: Pellegrini will likely rotate after the trip to Zagreb.
Isco — Questionable (Fitness management)
Carvalho W. — Out (Long-term injury)
Lo Celso G. — Available (Key playmaker)

Rayo Vallecano vs Real Betis — Team Form (Last 5 Matches)

Rayo Vallecano

11/12 — 2–1 vs Jagiellonia (UECL)
07/12 — 0–1 vs Espanyol (La Liga)
04/12 — 2–1 vs Real Avila (Copa del Rey)
02/12 — 1–1 vs Valencia (La Liga)
27/11 — 1–2 vs Slovan Bratislava (UECL)

Real Betis

11/12 — 3–1 vs Dinamo Zagreb (Europa League)
06/12 — 3–5 vs Barcelona (La Liga)
04/12 — 4–1 vs Torrent (Copa del Rey)
30/11 — 2–0 vs Sevilla (La Liga)
28/11 — 2–1 vs Utrecht (Europa League)

Rayo Vallecano vs Real Betis — Head-to-Head (Last 5 Meetings)

15/05/2025 — Rayo Vallecano 2–2 Real Betis
23/12/2024 — Real Betis 1–1 Rayo Vallecano
17/03/2024 — Rayo Vallecano 2–0 Real Betis
03/09/2023 — Real Betis 1–0 Rayo Vallecano
16/05/2023 — Real Betis 3–1 Rayo Vallecano

Rayo Vallecano vs Real Betis — Playing XI (Predicted Lineups)

Rayo Vallecano (4-2-3-1)

Batalla; Balliu, Lejeune, Mumin, Espino; Valentin, Unai Lopez; De Frutos, Isi Palazon, Alvaro Garcia; Camello

Real Betis (4-2-3-1)

Rui Silva; Bellerin, Llorente, Natan, Perraud; Cardoso, Marc Roca; Fornals, Lo Celso, Abde; Vitor Roque

Rayo Vallecano vs Real Betis — Impact Bench

Rayo Vallecano: James Rodriguez (World-class creativity), Guardiola (Late goal threat)

Real Betis: Chimy Avila (Aggression/Energy), Bakambu (Pace)

Rayo Vallecano vs Real Betis — Tactical Analysis

Rayo Vallecano

Rayo thrive on the chaos of Vallecas. The pitch is small, and they press aggressively high up the field. Without the ball, Oscar Valentin is the engine that disrupts opposition play. They will look to release Alvaro Garcia quickly down the left flank to catch Betis’s attacking full-backs out of position.

Real Betis

Manuel Pellegrini’s side plays some of the most attractive football in Spain. They rely on the verticality of Ez Abde and the playmaking genius of Giovani Lo Celso. However, their high defensive line was exposed brutally by Barcelona last week (conceding 5). At Vallecas, they must be more compact or Rayo’s transition game will punish them.

Rayo Vallecano vs Real Betis — Key Battles

Isi Palazon vs Perraud — The battle of the left flank
Lejeune vs Vitor Roque — Experience vs explosive youth
Oscar Valentin vs Lo Celso — The destroyer vs the creator
Balliu vs Abde — Stopping the dribble is priority #1

Rayo Vallecano vs Real Betis — Spotlight Players

Rayo Vallecano — Isi Palazón

The bald magician is the heartbeat of Rayo. His ability to cut inside from the right and shoot or thread a pass is Rayo’s main source of goals.

Real Betis — Giovani Lo Celso

Since returning to Betis, the Argentine has been sensational. He controls the tempo and links the midfield to attack. If Rayo give him time on the ball, he will hurt them.

Rayo Vallecano vs Real Betis — Prediction

Rayo Vallecano 1–1 Real Betis

Both teams are dealing with the “Thursday-Sunday” fatigue. Rayo are tough to beat at home (unbeaten in last 2 vs Betis at Vallecas), and Betis have shown defensive frailties recently. A hard-fought, entertaining draw seems the most logical outcome.