Rayo Vallecano vs Drita — Match Preview
A decisive night at Vallecas awaits on Thursday, 18 December 2025. Rayo Vallecano, currently sitting comfortably with 10 points in the League Phase, welcome Kosovan side FC Drita to Madrid.1 The Spanish hosts are eyeing a top-8 finish to secure direct qualification to the Round of 16. Drita, on 5 points, are fighting for their European lives; they likely need a shock victory to crack the top 24 and reach the knockout playoffs. Rayo will look to bounce back from a domestic loss to Espanyol, while Drita must recover quickly from a heavy 0–3 home defeat to AZ Alkmaar.
Rayo Vallecano vs Drita — Match Info
- Competition: UEFA Conference League (League Phase – Matchday 6)
- Venue: Campo de Fútbol de Vallecas, Madrid (Capacity: 14,708)2
- Date: Thursday, 18 December 2025
- Kickoff: 21:00 CET | 20:00 GMT | 01:30 IST (Friday)
- Referee: TBC (UEFA Appointment)
Rayo Vallecano vs Drita — Match Stakes
Rayo Vallecano (10 pts):
- Win → Moves to 13 pts; strong chance of finishing Top 8 (Direct Round of 16)
- Draw → Reaches 11 pts; secures playoff spot but risks losing top seed status
- Loss → Stays on 10 pts; drops into the unseeded playoff pot (9th-24th)
FC Drita (5 pts):
- Win → Moves to 8 pts; likely enough to sneak into the Top 24 (Playoffs)
- Draw → Reaches 6 pts; likely eliminated depending on goal difference
- Loss → Confirmed elimination from Europe
Rayo Vallecano vs Drita — Team News
Rayo Vallecano:
- Suspended: Ciss P. (Yellow Cards)
- Out: Mumin A. (Knee Injury), Trejo O. (Muscle Injury), Alemao (Injury), Mendez D. (Injury), Mesa J. (Injury), Nteka R. (International Duty)
- Questionable: de Frutos J. (Injury)
FC Drita:
- Suspended: Soumahoro M. (Yellow Cards – Key Midfielder)
- Out: Mesa J. (Injury – Starting Defender)
- Available: Broja R. (Midfield Leader), Krasniqi E. (Winger)
Rayo Vallecano vs Drita — Team Form (Last 5 Matches)
Rayo Vallecano
- 11/12 — 2–1 vs Jagiellonia (UECL)3
- 07/12 — 0–1 vs Espanyol (La Liga)4
- 04/12 — 2–1 vs Real Avila (Copa del Rey)5
- 02/12 — 1–1 vs Valencia (La Liga)6
- 27/11 — 1–2 vs Slovan Bratislava (UECL)7
FC Drita
- 14/12 — 1–1 vs Gjilani (Kosovo Superliga)
- 11/12 — 0–3 vs AZ Alkmaar (UECL)8
- 06/12 — 1–1 vs Dukagjini (Kosovo Superliga)9
- 03/12 — 3–0 vs Besa Peja (Kosovo Cup)10
- 30/11 — 2–3 vs FC Ballkani (Kosovo Superliga)11
Rayo Vallecano vs Drita — Head-to-Head
- No previous competitive meetings found.
- This is the first-ever match between Rayo Vallecano and FC Drita.
Rayo Vallecano vs Drita — Playing XI (Predicted Lineups)
Rayo Vallecano (4-2-3-1)
Batalla; Ratiu, Lejeune, Aridane, Chavarría; Valentin, Unai Lopez; Isi Palazon, James Rodriguez, Alvaro Garcia; Camello
FC Drita (4-3-3)
Maloku; B. Krasniqi, Salihu, Balde, Ovouka; Broja, Dabiqaj, Baftiu; Ajzeraj, Manaj, E. Krasniqi
Rayo Vallecano vs Drita — Impact Bench
Rayo Vallecano: Guardiola (Goal threat), Embarba (Set-piece specialist)
FC Drita: Tusha (Speed on break), Selmani (Physical presence)
Rayo Vallecano vs Drita — Tactical Analysis
Rayo Vallecano
Playing at the compact Vallecas, Rayo will press relentlessly. Without Pathe Ciss to anchor the midfield, Oscar Valentin will need to cover plenty of ground. James Rodriguez (if selected) will look to unlock Drita’s low block with precise passing. Rayo’s width through Isi and Alvaro Garcia will be key to stretching the Kosovan defense.
FC Drita
Drita will likely set up in a 5-4-1 defensive shape, looking to frustrate Rayo and hit on the counter. The absence of Juan Camilo Mesa in defense is a massive blow to their organization. Without Soumahoro in midfield, they may struggle to retain possession. Their best hope is set-pieces or catching Rayo high up the pitch.
Rayo Vallecano vs Drita — Key Battles
- Isi Palazon vs Ovouka — trickery vs pace on the wing
- Lejeune vs Manaj — physical aerial duel
- James Rodriguez vs Broja — creative genius vs defensive screen
- Batalla vs Krasniqi — keeper focus vs counter-attack threat
Rayo Vallecano vs Drita — Spotlight Players
Rayo Vallecano — Isi Palazón
The winger is the heartbeat of Rayo’s attack. His ability to cut inside and shoot or deliver curling crosses makes him the most dangerous player on the pitch against a lower-ranked side.
FC Drita — Rron Broja
The captain must have the game of his life. With key suspensions in midfield, Broja has to shield his defense and try to initiate counters if Drita are to pull off a miracle.
Rayo Vallecano vs Drita — Prediction
Rayo Vallecano 3–0 Drita
The gap in quality is significant. Rayo are strong at home, and Drita are missing key defensive and midfield pieces (Mesa & Soumahoro). Rayo should dominate possession and secure a comfortable win to book their spot in the Round of 16.
Rayo Vallecano vs Drita — Betting Insights
- Rayo Vallecano -1.5 Handicap — High Probability
- Over 2.5 Goals — Likely
- Both Teams to Score — NO
Rayo Vallecano vs Drita — Where to Watch
- Spain: Movistar+
- Kosovo: SuperSport / ArtMotion
- International: Paramount+ (USA), DAZN (Select Regions)
Rayo Vallecano vs Drita — FAQs
Q: When is the Rayo Vallecano vs Drita match?
A: The match kicks off on Thursday, 18 December 2025, at 21:00 CET (local time).
Q: Where is the match being played?
A: It will be played at the Campo de Fútbol de Vallecas in Madrid.12
Q: Is Pathé Ciss playing for Rayo?
A: No. He is suspended due to accumulation of yellow cards.
Q: Does Drita have a chance to qualify?
A: Yes, but they likely need a win to reach 8 points and depend on other results to make the top 24.
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