2022-23 LaLiga week 3 preview: Rayo Vallecano vs Mallorca
Rayo Vallecano look to continue their unbeaten 2022-23 LaLiga run as they play against Mallorca at Campo de Fútbol de Vallecas on Sunday. Will they be able to pull it off, or will the visitors clinch their first league victory this season?
Overview
Rayo have four points to show in two weeks. They had a scoreless draw with Barcelona, followed by a 2-0 win over Espanyol. This will be their first home fixture for the season.
On the other hand, RCD Mallorca went without a goal against Athletic Club before getting beaten by Real Betis, 1-2.
With the teams bunched up on the table, a loss or draw could be catastrophic. In the inverse, a victory can be big.
If the conditions are right, Mallorca can bubble up to the top half of the table. Meanwhile, Rayo Vallecano can keep up with the leaders with a positive result.
Stats
The last five meetings of the combatants feature two La Liga matches, a pair of Segunda División fixtures, and a Copa del Rey matchup. They split their league head-to-head, but Los Franjirrojos took the cup competition, a 1-0 outcome on the round of eight back in February.
In four previous encounters at Vallecas dating back to 2016, the home side have the upper hand, 3-1.
Recent form (last five matches)
defeated Espanyol, 2-0
drew with Barcelona, 0-0
drew with Valladolid, 0-0
drew with Manchester United, 1-1
defeated Leganés, 2-1
Mallorca
lost to Real Betis, 1-2
drew with Athletic Club, 0-0
won against Ibiza, 6-5 in penalties (0-0 at end of regulation)
drew with Napoli, 1-1
defeated Sporting Gijón, 1-0
Prediction
There was a particular interest in preseason friendlies this year. However, the prevailing thought still remains that these matches do not mean anything in the bigger picture. Or do they?
Note the congruent results of each side’s three matches ending in draws after regulation, two of which finished 0-0. Is a draw a highly probable outcome?
Tips
Draw
M88 Mansion MSports 1X2 odds
Rayo Vallecano – 2.12
Mallorca – 3.65
Draw – 3.15
