Elche vs Rayo Vallecano Prediction - La Liga

Match context

Elche will face Rayo Vallecano at home at the Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero at 00:30 on December 22, 2025, in La Liga. This is a clash between two teams that are close together in the middle of the table, but have completely contrasting form and squad situations.

Recent form

In terms of form, both teams lack consistency. However, Elche is showing strong form at home, while Rayo Vallecano is struggling in away matches.

Elche: Unbeaten at home

Elche currently sits 11th in the league table with 19 points from 16 matches. In their last 5 games, they have recorded 1 win, 3 draws, and 1 loss. Elche's biggest highlight this season is their impressive home record at Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero, where they remain undefeated with 4 wins and 4 draws. Their attack averages 1.2 goals per game, while their defense concedes 1.3 goals per game.

Rayo Vallecano: A winless streak

On the opposite side, Rayo Vallecano are currently 13th with 18 points. The visitors are experiencing a five-match winless streak in La Liga, with four draws and one defeat. Their away form is also alarming, having lost five of their last nine away games. Rayo Vallecano's attack is also struggling, averaging only 0.8 goals per game.

History of confrontations

In their last five meetings, the results have been fairly balanced, with Elche winning two and Rayo Vallecano winning three. However, a notable statistic is that the home team has won all four of the most recent encounters between the two sides. In their most recent clash at Elche's home ground in April 2023, the home team secured a convincing 4-0 victory.

Force situation

Rayo Vallecano is facing a serious personnel crisis, a factor that could significantly impact the outcome of the match.

Elche

• Andre Silva:Absent due to injury.
• G. Diangana:Absent due to muscle injury.

Rayo Vallecano

• P. Ciss:Absent due to international duty.
• R. Nteka:Absent due to international duty.
• A. Ratiu:Suspended due to a yellow card.
• D. Mendez:Absent due to injury.
• A. Mumin:Absent due to a knee injury.
• J. de Frutos:Absent due to a knee injury.
• Alemao:His availability for the match is still uncertain.

Assessment

With the advantage of playing at home, where they are undefeated, and with their opponent Rayo Vallecano experiencing a dip in form and missing several key players due to injuries, suspensions, and international duty, Elche holds a significant advantage. The head-to-head history also favors the home team. Therefore, a favorable result for Elche is widely predicted.

Team lineup updated at 23:53 on December 21, 2025

Official lineup

Elche

Diagram: 3-5-2

CoachEder Sarabia

Starting lineup:

• 13. Iñaki Peña (G)
• 18. John Nwankwo (D)
• 22. David Afffengruber (D)
• 6. Pedro Bigas (D)
• 39. Hector Fort (M)
• 15. Alvaro Núñez (M)
• 8. Marc Aguado (M)
• 14. Aleix Febas (M)
• 11. Germán Valera (M)
• 10. Rafa Mir (F)
• 20. Álvaro Rodriguez (F)

Substitutes:

• 45. Alejandro Iturbe
• 1. Matías Dituro
• 3. Adrià Pedrosa
• 21. Leo Petrot
• 4. Bamboo Diaby
• 16. Martim Neto
• 17. Josan
• 30. Rodrigo Mendoza
• 7. Yago Santiago
• 5. Federico Redondo
• 32. Adam Boatar

Rayo Vallecano

Diagram: 4-3-3

CoachInigo Perez

Starting lineup:

• 13. Augusto Batalla (G)
• 20. Iván Ballius (D)
• 24. Florian Lejeune (D)
• 32. Nobel Mendy (D)
• 3. Josep Chavarría (D)
• 17. Unai López (M)
• 23. Óscar Valentín (M)
• 22. Alfonso Espino (M)
• 7. Isi Palazón (F)
• 10. Sergio Camello (F)
• 18. Álvaro García (F)

Substitutes:

• 40. Adrián Molina
• 1. Dani Cárdenas
• 33. Jozhua Vertrouwd
• 5. Luiz Felipe
• 28. Samu Becerra
• 8. Óscar Trejo
• 21. Fran Pérez
• 15. Gerard Gumbau
• 4. Pedro Díaz