Getafe vs Rayo Vallecano Prediction and Betting Preview | May 3

Getafe vs Rayo Vallecano Preview

With the World Cup heading to North America this summer, GoldSheet will be ramping up its soccer coverage over the next few weeks. WagerTalk handicapper and GoldSheet’s featured writer Bruce Marshall shares his thoughts on Sunday’s Getafe vs Rayo Vallecano showdown in La Liga.

Daily Betting Analysis from GoldSheet

GoldSheet is the country’s longest-running sports betting newsletter providing weekly coverage of the NFL and college football, plus daily coverage of the NBA and college basketball, for nearly seven decades. Subscribe to The Basketball GoldSheet newsletter where we provide a detailed write-up on every NBA game from Opening Night through the NBA Finals for less than $3 per day.

Rayo Vallencano’s Current Form

This looks like it might be a great time for Getafe to run into local Madrid rival Rayo Vallecano. After all, the Vallecas crew could be understandably distracted this weekend, 90 minutes away from the first European final in club history if Rayo can hold a 1-0 lead from the first leg in the return match on Thursday at Strasbourg in the Conference League semis.

With that in mind, coach Iñigo Pérez might be excused for fielding a bit of changed lineup acorss town on Sunday at the Coliseum, hoping to keep some of his key troopers fresh for the attempt at some historic European glory just four days hence.

That might include top scorer Jorge de Frutos, on ten goals in La Liga this season (though none in the last seven). Argentina import goalie Augusto Batalla, however, posted four clean sheets in April, including Thursday vs. Strasbourg, and resolute Rayo remains difficult to break down.

Getafe’s Current Form

While Rayo have European distractions, host Getafe is instead takng direct aim at a European spot as it sits sixth in the La Liga table, though no fewer than seven sides are in hot pursuit and within just 5 points in the table with five matches to go.

As usual, and perhaps even moreso than in recent years, Getafe is doing with minimal flash, content to sit back in a low-block and employ punishing tackling to prevent deep forays by the opposition. This is the time-tested style of shrewd manager José Bordalás, whose team has scored fewer goals (28) than any Liga side save bottom-of-table Real Oviedo, but has also allowed the third-fewest (24), behind only Real Madrid and Barcelona. Indeed, Getafe’s star might be goalie David Soria, who has authored ten clean sheets this campaign.

Getafe vs Rayo Vallecano Prediction

Given Rayo’s likely distractions and the Getafe track record, this hardly looms as a shootout, and likely to play out much like the first meeting back on January 2 at Vallecas – a 1-1 draw thanks to a late 90th-minute strike by Getafe’s top scorer Mauro Arambarri (aforementioned de Frutos had put Rayo ahead just before intermission).

As this looks one of the best bets of the weekend in Spain to end up nil-nil, we have plenty of interest in “under” 1.5 goals, at a very tempting +140 price, which would be our first recommendation.

While the case for Getafe has some merit at -105, we instead might prefer the Draw, like the first meeting, at +230, though that would rate a bit behind the “under” as the preferred recommendation or us.

If looking for a flyer, and not minding the tedium of watching a scoreless draw play out on the TV screen, the nil-nil on offer at +550 hardly looks the worst option on the weekend card.

More Soccer Picks and Predictions Today at WagerTalk

WagerTalk is the largest picks site online offering soccer FREE PICKS every week as well as premium paid soccer picks from expert professional sports bettors.

WagerTalk Live Odds Screen

WagerTalk’s live odds screen features up-to-the-minute lines from a variety of offshore and domestic sports books. Track moneylines, runlines, totals and betting percentages for a variety of domestic and international leagues.

**************************************************

Looking for more free sports picks and sports betting tips? Go beyond the anytime touchdown scorer picks!

• Latest Betting Odds and Public Action: Vegas lines updated in real time, including who the public is betting on and anytime touchdown scorer odds.
• Last Minute Handicapping Advice: Check out our extensive library of handicapping tips and advice from professional Vegas handicappers (we also recommend taking the time to look over our sports betting tips video library)
• Want an expert opinion?Check out the latest Free Sports Picks and Best Bets from our team of expert sports handicappers.

Make sure to bookmark all the above!