Match Information
Our pre-match preview Written before kick-off — see what we expected from this match
Match Overview
Rayo Vallecano host Alaves at Estadio Municipal de Butarque in a Regular Season - 2 fixture, with both sides still shaping their identity for the campaign after contrasting openings. This early clash already carries significant weight given the gulf in the league table: Alaves sit top of La Liga while Rayo Vallecano occupy 19th place, making it a meaningful measuring stick for where each side truly stands after just one round.
The primary storyline is the stark form contrast heading into this match. Rayo Vallecano head into the game off the back of a 2-1 defeat to Sevilla on August 15, extending a difficult run that includes losses in four of their last five outings across competitions, including friendly defeats to Ipswich, Feyenoord, and Heart of Midlothian. Alaves, by contrast, opened their league campaign in emphatic fashion, defeating Getafe 3-0 at home on August 15, and their pre-season form was similarly encouraging with wins over Castellón and Girona alongside draws against Racing Santander and Eibar. That momentum, paired with their position atop the table, gives Quique Sanchez Flores' side a psychological platform that Benat San Jose's Rayo will need to counter on home soil.
Squad availability is not a complicating factor here, as neither team reports any injuries, meaning both managers can select from their strongest available options. This levels the playing field somewhat and shifts the focus purely onto tactical approach and current form rather than enforced changes.
With Rayo needing a response at home after their opening-day loss and Alaves looking to build on a perfect start, this fixture offers an early litmus test for both sides' season trajectories, even at this early stage of Regular Season - 2.
Predicted Lineups
Rayo Vallecano
A. Batalla; A. Ratiu, F. Lejeune, P. Ciss, I. Balliu; U. Lopez, O. Valentin, J. de Frutos, I. Palazon, A. Garcia; R. Nteka
Alaves
A. Sivera; N. Tenaglia, V. Koski, Jonny Otto; A. Perez, P. Ibanez, A. Blanco, D. Suarez, A. Rebbach; T. Martinez
Team Form Analysis
Rayo Vallecano
League Position: 19Rayo Vallecano Form Analysis
Rayo Vallecano's form heading into this fixture makes for concerning reading. Their La Liga opener ended in a 2-1 defeat away to Sevilla on August 15, continuing a troubling pattern seen throughout their pre-season friendlies, where they lost to Ipswich (3-0), Feyenoord (2-1), and Heart of Midlothian (2-1), managing only a single win against Charleroi (3-2) in that stretch. Across these five matches, Rayo have shown defensive vulnerabilities, conceding in every single outing, while their attacking output has been inconsistent at best. The Sevilla defeat is particularly relevant as the only fixture in this sample from the same competition, and it sets a difficult tone for Benat San Jose's side entering Regular Season - 2. With their current league position at 19th, this match represents an important opportunity to arrest a losing trend and register their first points of the campaign in front of their own supporters.
Alaves
League Position: 1Alaves Form Analysis
Alaves arrive in excellent form, and their season-opening 3-0 victory over Getafe on August 15 sits at the heart of that. It underlines a squad that carried strong momentum from pre-season into the competitive campaign, having gone unbeaten across their five most recent matches shown here, with three wins and two draws. Notable results include a 1-0 win away at Girona on July 25 and a 3-0 friendly win over Castellón on July 31, both suggesting attacking sharpness across different opposition levels. Defensively, Quique Sanchez Flores' side have also looked composed, conceding just twice in their last five outings prior to the Getafe result, with a clean sheet in that league opener. Combined with topping the league table after the first round, Alaves's form trajectory points to a side with clear cohesion and confidence as they travel to face a struggling Rayo Vallecano outfit.
Head-to-Head
Rayo Vallecano
Alaves
Recent Meetings
| Date | Home | Score | Away |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-05-23 | Alaves | 1 - 2 | Rayo Vallecano |
| 2026-01-14 | Alaves | 2 - 0 | Rayo Vallecano |
| 2025-10-26 | Rayo Vallecano | 1 - 0 | Alaves |
| 2025-03-29 | Alaves | 0 - 2 | Rayo Vallecano |
| 2024-10-26 | Rayo Vallecano | 1 - 0 | Alaves |
| 2024-03-10 | Alaves | 1 - 0 | Rayo Vallecano |
| 2023-09-15 | Rayo Vallecano | 2 - 0 | Alaves |
| 2022-04-16 | Alaves | 1 - 0 | Rayo Vallecano |
| 2021-12-18 | Rayo Vallecano | 2 - 0 | Alaves |
| 2019-01-28 | Alaves | 0 - 1 | Rayo Vallecano |
Memorable Matches
These two sides have a long-standing history in La Liga, with meetings often producing tight, competitive contests. The most recent encounter on 2026-05-23 saw Rayo Vallecano edge out Alaves 2-1 on the road, continuing a recent trend of Rayo success in the fixture. Earlier meetings show Alaves have had their own moments of dominance, notably a 2-0 home win on 2026-01-14. Going further back, the March 2025 meeting ended 0-2 in Rayo's favor away at Alaves, while a 2-0 Rayo win at home on 2021-12-18 stands out as one of the more comfortable margins between the two clubs in recent seasons.
Venue Factor
Estadio Municipal de Butarque provides Rayo Vallecano with a familiar home setting as they look to turn around their difficult start to the season. Playing in front of their own supporters carries added importance given their current position of 19th in the table and the need to build momentum early in Regular Season - 2. For Alaves, the trip to Madrid represents a true test of their early-season credentials as league leaders, having already shown they can perform away from home with a 1-0 win at Girona on 2025-07-25 during their pre-season schedule. The atmosphere at Butarque, known for its passionate and vocal supporters, could play a significant role in a match where Rayo Vallecano will be seeking vital energy and support to close the gap on a free-scoring Alaves side.
Injury Concerns
Rayo Vallecano
Alaves
