Monday 25/09/2014, 20:00, Spain Primera Division, Round 1, Rayo Vallecano vs Atletico Madrid

Rayo Vallecano vs Atletico Madrid Preview

Atletico Madrid didn't play too many friendly games at least if we compare them to their Spanish counterparts, but the truth is that they didn't have to. After losing the Champions League final to Real Madrid, they won the UEFA Super Cup and participated in the Euro-American Cup, where they faced tough opponents. They now hope to start the domestic championship campaign with a victory on the road at Rayo Vallecano, a team that didn't pose any problems in the previous season.

Rayo Vallecano vs Atletico Madrid Odds

At Unibet

Rayo Vallecano 7.10, Draw 4.00, Atletico Madrid 1.50

Rayo Vallecano vs Atletico Madrid Tips

All these intense games played by Atletico Madrid over the last two months took their toll, because the Spanish side will have to play without three key players. Turan and Correa are injured and unlikely to return this month, while Raul Garcia is serving a one-game suspension after seeing a red card in the last match of the Primera Division.

Atletico Madrid has the ability to score plenty of goals, but recently they made certain adjustments in their strategy and results speak for themselves. Opponents only managed to score twice in the last nine games, each time when the reigning champions played on the road. Keeping a clean sheet at Rayo Vallecano doesn't look all that difficult, despite the hosts' offensive options.

Rayo Vallecano has no fewer than seven strikers and they frequently use three of them when they play at home, but tonight will be an exception. It would be suicidal to come out firing on all cylinders against Atletico Madrid and manager Jemez knows it all too well.

The hosts will start with Goncalvez and Baptistao, as the two strikers were acquired during the season break and they used to be the best scorers at their former teams. It goes without saying that they won't have an easy task at finding a breach in the visitors' defensive wall, but they shouldn't be undervalued.

Key Facts

• Atletico Madrid crushed Rayo Vallecano last season, scoring nine goals and allowing 2 in two games.
• The hosts are at full strength, with only Amaya doubtful, while the visitors play without three key players

Rayo Vallecano vs Atletico Madrid Prediction

This is unlikely to end in a lopsided victory for either side, with the winner expected to prevail by a narrow margin. Atletico Madrid starts as favorite to win, but the odds are simply too low to be worth the risk, so punters who plan on making this match interesting, should side with the hosts. Rayo Vallecano not to win by two goals or more is given even odds by Unibet and if the visitors prevail by exactly one goal, the stakes are reimbursed.

Bet: Rayo Vallecano +1.00 goal @ 2.00 with Unibet